A Unique Community Living a Low-Carbon Lifestyle

Cloughjordan is a 67-acre ecovillage in southern Ireland. In 1999 a non-profit organization called the Sustainable Projects Ireland Limited (SPIL) was established.  Its mandate states that it will serve as a model for sustainable living into the 21st century and will serve as an educational enterprise and research service for all. After searching for a location that met their criteria for proximity to a larger existing city that could be reached via public transport (it ended up being Dublin) and space for housing, amenities and a wilderness area, they chose the town of Cloughjordan in 2002. The first houses were constructed in 2009. 

Cloughjordan includes a residential area, and an area for support and amenities. These include: a district heating system, an eco-enterprise center and allotment for growing food and community farms, and an area devoted to woodland in which 17,000 trees were planted.

The primary objective of the ecovillage is to demonstrate truly sustainable development in a holistic practical way to serve as a model and an educational resource for all of Ireland.

Cloughjordan is a member of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN). They are committed to a low carbon society and the most important thing that binds them is their sense of community.  They get their energy and hot water using energy sources without fossil fuels. The houses are heated by a wood-chip boiler and use solar energy. Regarding land, water and waste management: corridors are built for the movement of wildlife, the soil is regenerated by using organic compost, and no harmful fertilizers or toxic materials are used. They have a sophisticated urban drainage system. Residents also collect rainwater for outdoor use. Homes are built to meet the desire of owners and environmental standards. Household waste is recycled.  As for transportation, their objective is to make life easier without owning a car by promoting using public transportation such as train and car sharing. However, the main means of transportation is bicycles.

The ecovillage is relatively free from noise and light pollution because of certain agreed upon rules. For example, the ecovillage doesn’t have public lights which makes it a perfect place to enjoy stargazing.  Cloughjordan ecovillage has established Ireland’s first members owned and operated CSA – community supported agriculture (CSA).

Because of self-sufficiency, sharing and the elegance of simplicity, many ecovillage members are living comfortably on incomes that place them well below the poverty line. Some of the residents work for businesses established in the ecovillage, including an eco-hostel, a woodfired bakery, a book and coffee shop on the main street, and their own internet and telephone company. Some other economic activities include many national and non-governmental organizations, energy consulting firms and EU funded projects.