Falls Hotel & Spa becomes first in Ireland to run on its own hydroelectricity

The family-run Falls Hotel and Spa in Ennistymon, Co Clare recently revealed it has become the first and only hotel in Ireland to generate power from its own hydroelectricity plant.

This comes on foot of a large-scale hydro turbine project, which harnesses energy from the adjacent River Inagh to create a sustainable power source that will serve the hotel for many years to come.

The project, which began in 2016 and was completed in 2018, was spearheaded by original owner Dan McCarthy with his sons Michael (general manager) and John (deputy manager) and their dedicated team, in consultation with Clare County Council, the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, and the Department of Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht.

The business reduced its energy consumption by 830,000 kWh of electricity in the 12 months since the turbine was commissioned. It has assisted the property hugely in significantly lessening its reliance on carbon fuels and subsequently reducing its carbon footprint.

“The water turbine has now been in action for a year and after this significant period of time, we can weigh up the results and really see the astounding difference its presence makes – and will continue to make – to establishing our property as a haven of sustainability,” said Michael McCarthy. “We pride ourselves on being eco-friendly across the board and our decision to rely heavily on hydroelectricity has taken this commitment to the next level.”