One of Ireland’s top visitor attractions is already an award-winning location but now it’s the first in Ireland to win a signification tourism award for its sustainability commitment.

Sustainable Travel Ireland has officially certified Powerscourt Estate in Co. Wicklow due to it meeting the globally accepted standards for sustainable tourism.

The Palladian mansion, which sits in a 1,000-acre area that includes 47 acres of landscaped gardens, is the first major visitor attraction in Ireland to achieve the certification. The certification is based on the criteria recognized by the UN-mandated Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Powerscourt has been recognized for several different sustainability initiatives including an integrated energy management system, a waste reduction plan, and biodiversity rewilding initiatives such as wildflower meadows, a tree planting program, and a bee sanctuary in its walled gardens.

Powerscourt has always pushed for environmental and nature protection and the Estate was originally purchased to create hydroelectric power at its waterfall, which is the highest on the island of Ireland.

Next for the Powerscourt Estate is to achieve its goal to be net zero by 2025, according to the business.

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