ecoescape: Ireland - The Handbook to Responsible Escapism

Green, you could say, is the new black. Let's face it; over the last few years that din we heard telling us that the environment wasn't sustainable for our hectic lifestyles and holiday habits has turned into a roar.

With phrases like 'carbon footprint' and 'climate change' now firmly entrenched in our modern lexicon, there is a major argument that as holidaygoers and world travellers we have to start adding the word 'responsibly' to our vocabulary. Throw into the mix the dreaded 'r' word - recession - and the idea to travel slowly, do it closer to home and in a greener way starts to make a lot of sense.

Researched and written by Irish Times travel contributor Catherine Mack, 'ecoescape: Ireland - The Handbook to Responsible Escapism' offers 50 destinations on the island of Ireland which adhere to this ethos of responsible holidaying, so expect solar panels, recycling, eco-friendly heating and the like to be par-for-the-course. Complete with advice on getting there by 'Slow Travel' (trains and buses to you and me), these are billed as the best of the greenest alternatives for domestic travel in Ireland.

It is a highly-commendable idea, and on her journey through these ecoescapes Mack unearths many hidden hideaways that prove it is possible for enjoyment and environment to go hand-in-hand. Whale watching in Cork, seaweed baths in Sligo or yoga retreats in Mayo - a wide range of activities is covered. The author also furnishes many of the reports with very useful information like the best places to eat and drink or nearby walks to complement your stay.

Families are also catered for, with some adventure centres and eco-tours that no doubt would keep the young-uns entertained.

What is puzzling, however, is the geographical range of these ecoescapes. The southeast, for example, is only afforded one entry - in Tipperary. The southwest has four; three in Cork and one in Limerick. Conversely, Northern Ireland and the three counties of Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal account for almost 60% of the ecoescapes featured between them. This disparity takes a certain amount away from the overall balance of the guide.

Much in the same way that a change in people's residential living habits will only catch on when it is made financially attractive and convenient for people, it stands to reason that travelling responsibly and going green will only happen when they are enjoyable and won't break the bank, and unfortunately a few of the ecoescapes fall down with one or the other.

For example, Dublin's sole entry is Cultivate, a "living and learning centre". Cultivate runs courses and workshops, and if you so wish you can buy many products all things eco. Now this in itself is highly commendable, and might make for an interesting hour or two's browsing, but an escape, I am afraid to say, it is not.

Elsewhere, many places highlighted in book mean that choosing green will leave you in the red. Although there is a small section on hostels and B&B's, many of the ecoescapes are quite expensive, with some costing anything from €190 - €450 per person sharing, per night. Not really an option if you have the kids in tow and are on any sort of a budget.

However, as the saying goes you can only work with the tools you've got, and there is no denying the author has managed to produce a worthwhile guide to Ireland's ecologically sound options. The names and stories of individual people or groups who have made the decision to go green sparkle off every page, and it's to the book's credit. Although by no means a complete guide for anyone looking to be a responsible traveller, this does give each and every reader the tools to start.

Padraic Geoghegan

'ecoescape: Ireland' (Markham Publishing, €11.99) is available from Eason's, Waterstones and independent retailers. For more, visit: www.greenguide.co.uk.

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