Ashford Takes Five

Ashford Castle, owned by Red Carnation Hotels, received five accolades at the 2023 European Sustainable Tourism Awards. The 800-year-old castle's commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism practices has earned it top honours in the categories of: “Best Local Gastronomy”, “Best Luxury Eco Accommodation”, “Best Sustainable Historic Hotel”, “Best Sustainable Pet-friendly Hotel”, and “Best Sustainable Accommodation in Ireland”.

Organised by Quartz Inn Hotels, the awards underscore Ashford Castle's exemplary efforts in shaping a more eco-friendly and responsible future for the tourism industry.

Member of the judging panel and Director of Sustainability at iVisitKrakow.com, Jolanta Dziewit said: 

“Congratulations to Ashford Castle for their outstanding success. Their unwavering commitment to sustainability exemplifies a distinguished standard for the industry, setting the stage for a more responsible and eco-friendly future.”

Pioneering environmental stewardship, Ashford Castle became the first hotel in Ireland to achieve the GREENMark Plastic Smart Standard Award, eliminating single-use plastics. The castle actively supports local communities through volunteer programmes, contributing over 215 hours in 2022.

Food sustainability takes centre stage with on-site foraging, homegrown vegetables and honey from estate apiaries, managed with a commitment to waste reduction through partnerships with Winnow since 2020.