Person harvesting leafy greens from a vertical hydroponic system surrounded by LED grow lights.

Sustainability & Ecotourism

Our Green Way

At the O’Donoghue Ring Collection, sustainability is central to our ethos. Through our “Our Green Way” programme, we actively implement and promote eco-conscious initiatives designed to reduce our environmental footprint while enhancing our guest experience.

Hotel room with two double beds, armchairs around a small table with breakfast, desk with flowers, table lamps, and framed botanical prints on beige walls.A person harvesting leafy greens from a vertical indoor hydroponic garden using scissors.water bottles

Throughout Your Stay

We want every guest to enjoy a comfortable, luxurious stay while knowing that thoughtful, sustainable choices are being made behind the scenes.

In our bedrooms, you’ll find eco-friendly touches such as virtual and wooden key cards, recycled water cartons, refillable toiletry bottles, and linen reuse programmes. Water-saving shower heads and smart air-conditioning controls help conserve vital resources without compromising on comfort. Our housekeeping team uses organic, environmentally responsible cleaning products made from natural ingredients, ensuring rooms are spotless without harming the planet.

Across our public areas, energy efficiency is prioritised through LED and sensor lighting, dual-flush toilets, and sensor taps, with DCsix meters monitoring consumption in real time every six minutes. This allows us to operate efficiently and responsibly while maintaining the comfort and luxury we are known for. Recycling is actively encouraged, and electric vehicle charging points are available on site. To reduce paper waste, digital newspapers are provided via PressReader instead of printed copies.

 

Bars & Restaurants

Our bars and restaurants are built on a philosophy of local, seasonal, and sustainable dining. Wherever possible, ingredients are sourced from nearby producers, reducing food miles and celebrating the very best of Kerry’s natural larder.

We prioritise partnerships with local suppliers and producers who embody our sustainable ethos and demonstrate strong eco-credentials. Through initiatives like the 2GOCup Scheme and collaborations that transform coffee grounds and fruit peels into fertiliser and cleaning materials, we actively reduce waste and repurpose resources wherever possible.

Food waste reduction is a key focus. We work with Good to Go, implement in-house portioning, menu engineering, bin weighing, and run the Food Bucket Challenge, all aimed at eliminating unnecessary waste. All takeaway packaging is compostable and biodegradable and single-use plastics have been removed entirely.

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A person in a white shirt holding a bunch of fresh green leafy vegetables with both hands.Killarney Urban Farm logo featuring illustrations of leaves, a fern, a sprig, and a bee in green.A person harvests leafy greens from a vertical hydroponic growing system indoors, surrounded by LED grow lights.

Killarney Urban Farm

Killarney Urban Farm was created with a commitment to local, sustainable, and innovative food production. As Ireland’s first hospitality hydroponic urban farm, we grow fresh produce exclusively for the bars, restaurants, and hotels within the O’Donoghue Ring Collection. By cultivating high-quality salads and herbs on-site in the heart of Killarney, we reduce food miles while delivering ingredients at their freshest and most nutritious.

Our pesticide-free, year-round growing system is designed to support a lower-carbon approach to food sourcing, helping our partners minimise environmental impact. Through cutting-edge research, patented technologies, and the expertise of a multidisciplinary team, ‘The Kube’ has been transformed into a forward-thinking growing space featuring 12 bespoke Green Towers that produce exceptional hyper-local crops.

By rethinking how food is grown and supplied, we are proud to play a key role in creating a more sustainable, circular approach to hospitality.

Biodiversity

At Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa, our rooftop beehives play an important role in supporting local biodiversity. By providing a home for these essential pollinators, we help sustain the surrounding ecosystem while encouraging a healthy balance of flora and fauna. The honey harvested from our rooftop hives is a delicious, sustainable ingredient used in special creations across our bars and restaurants.

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A gloved hand uses a tool to inspect a wooden beehive frame covered with honeybees on a honeycomb.

Community & Culture

At the O’Donoghue Ring Collection, being part of Killarney means actively contributing to the life and spirit of our town. We are proud to support local initiatives by hosting community, charity and sustainability events in partnership with the Chamber and local committees, creating spaces where meaningful conversations and positive action can take place.

We regularly bring live performances and cultural moments beyond our doors and onto the streets, helping to create shared experiences that celebrate our heritage and bring vibrancy to the town for locals and visitors alike. Through collaborations with local festivals, artists and producers, we aim to foster creativity, connection and a sense of belonging.

We also support progressive community initiatives, including autism awareness and accessibility efforts, alongside environmental and sustainability programmes that reflect Killarney’s forward-thinking spirit. Our commitment is simple: to give back, to uplift, and to play an active role in shaping a thriving, inclusive and culturally rich community.

Four people stand and talk next to vertical hydroponic gardens with leafy green plants in an indoor farming facility.

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People gather around food vans and stalls outside a white building called "The Tan Yard" during a street event. Some people are walking, eating, or cycling.

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A musician performs on stage in a church-like venue with "Wander Wild" projected above the altar, and an audience seated in pews.

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Two people dressed in outdoor clothing and rucksacks stand on a forest trail, smiling and laughing together on a sunny day.

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A Greener Stay

Together, we can make a meaningful impact and protect the beauty of Killarney for future generations.

When you choose Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa, you join a community committed to protecting what makes Killarney so special. We invite you to join us in embracing eco-friendly travel, from mindful dining options to how we power your stay, every detail reflects a deeper care for the environment.

Together, we can tread lighter, and leave something better behind.