Ecotourism on Inishbofin

On Inishbofin, we want to take a different approach to tourism. We seek to achieve sustainable tourism that does not negatively impact upon our island’s natural environment, while at the same time benefits and supports our local community. Across the board, tourism providers based on the island are looking at how they can help this goal and how they can communicate our message to all visitors to Inishbofin.

Leave No Trace

One of our first achievements in this respect has been our partnership with Leave No Trace Ireland to become the first “Leave No Trace Island” in the country. The Inishbofin LNT Network currently includes 7 businesses on the island, and many people have taken the certified Awareness Sessions that LNT have run here. Leave No Trace is an outdoor ethics programme who have devised 7 principles for outdoor recreation, which we believe can have a very positive effect when applied to Inishbofin by all visitors to our island. They are not rules, but merely guidelines by which the visitor can gain the most enjoyment while having a minimal impact on the island’s environment.

Travelling to Inishbofin

As part of our commitment to sustainable tourism, we have been looking at ways in which visitors to Inishbofin can reduce the carbon footprint of their journey here. We believe the best way forward is to make use of the wonderful service operated by Irish Citylink who are the only transport company offering direct links to Cleggan, from where the Inishbofin ferry departs. Citylink can get you to Cleggan from Dublin Airport, Dublin City, Cork, Limerick, Athlone and everywhere in between with a quick change of bus in Galway, and we are actively encouraging visitors to make 2016 the year of “Bus to Boat to Bofin”, leaving the cars at home and travelling to us in comfort and relaxation while reducing the impact of cars on the roads of Connemara.

Coming from further afield, we encourage visitors from the UK to check out Seat 61 for alternatives to cars and planes. If it is not possible for you to make use of public transport, but would like to offset the carbon impact, head over to My Climate to see how you can compensate for your journey and give back to the environment!

Conservation on Inishbofin

Inishbofin is home to wonderful plant and animal life. We are designated as a Special Area of Conservation for a variety of features, flora and fauna. We are so proud of our incredible natural environment (and its inhabitants!), and seek to preserve this for future generations of islanders and visitors alike. In that respect, there are several conservation charities which are close to our hearts here on the island.  We encourage you to read about their work and if possible donate to these wonderful charities!

BirdWatch Ireland

Irish Wildlife Trust

Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

Seal Rescue Ireland

Experience Ecotourism on Inishbofin

Ecotourism is spreading throughout all businesses on the island, and currently there are many ecotourism activities in planning for the season ahead. As soon as these are ready to roll, we will have them listed on our website and advertised online through our social media pages. For now, visitors to Inishbofin Community Centre can avail of personalised guided walking tours of Inishbofin and Inishark in the company of native Inishbofin tour guide Tommy Burke. Head over to Cultúr na nOileáin for more information and how to book!

Further Reading…

EcoTourism Ireland

International Ecotourism Society

Inishbofin Community Centre Ecotourism

For more information on this or any other queries, please contact the Inishbofin Tourism Office on 095-45989 or at csptourism@inishbofin.com

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Categorised in: Eco, News