About Clare Ecolodge ; The building has been in the Loughnane family for nearly 200 years, is rich in heritage and is designated as a significant building.

Feakle (Fia Choill :’wood of the deer’ in english) is located just 20 minutes from both Ennis and Killaloe and less than an hour to the Cliffs of Moher. It has the tranquillity of an small unspoilt village and plays host to a thriving Irish traditional music scene, evident in the local bars from Wednesday to Sunday. We are an ideal venue for group and family get-togethers, residential courses and retreats.

We are in the center of the East Clare walkways and on the edge of the Slieve Aughty mountain range. We are a short distance from Lough Derg, Lough Graney and Lough Atorick. Over the years we have welcomed musicians, horticulturists, anglers, walkers, cyclists, golf societies, wedding parties, dinner parties, concert audiences, theatre companies and people taking part in well-being retreats and courses.

A Significant Building

Clare Ecolodge at Loughnane’s in Feakle has been designated by the Irish State as a building of significant historical, architectural interest and members of the public are invited to view the building (free of charge) at the following times from June 1 to August 31 from Wednesday to Sunday between 2pm and 6pm.

Clare Ecolodge: The Energy Story

Clare Ecolodge designation was created in 2018 to signify the changes which we have implemented over the past two years at Loughnane’s Guesthouse.

We converted and upgraded all our bedrooms in the main house to large private double and family rooms while keeping the integrity of the old farm house and shop.  

In May 2018 we installed 30 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of the main building. Look up and see for yourself!  Also in May 2018 we installed an air to water heat pump system.  This is a low usage eco-water heating system powered by electricity.  In 2022, we installed a 10kw Sonnen Battery unit and a low impact electric heating system.  Since then we have been producing between 20 to 60kw hours per day.  This heats all our water requirements for showers, laundry and kitchen requirements. We estimate that we are currently at least 80% off-grid..

The average yearly energy requirements for an Irish household is approximately 4000kwh. In that time we have avoided 2.5 tonnes of CO2.  We use between 15 – 30kwh per day. The surplus is sent back to the grid at the transformer at the top of the village. We are currently awaiting compensation for the excess electricity we generate .

Our main hot water and energy requirements are in the summer months. In high season there are more showers used and laundry needed. Our current energy system can handle this with little effort.

There is high speed, fiber broadband throughout the premises.

We have recently installed a Zappi EV car charging facility on-site for guests. 

Overall Intentions

We aim to generate all of our energy requirements and to be energy self-sufficient.

We want to highlight the benefits and viability of micro energy generation schemes for rural businesses and communities.