Killarney Park Hotel has achieved “Gold” certification from the Sustainable Tourism Network

OSA who are the Project & sustainability managers for the Killarney Park Hotel (KPH) are delighted to announce that the Hotel has achieved “Gold” certification from the Sustainable Tourism Network.

The Sustainable Tourism Network (STN), formerly Sustainable Travel Ireland, is Ireland’s leading and longest-running body for the promotion and support of sustainable tourism.

 STN Gold Certification is a top-tier award recognising tourism businesses that demonstrate high levels of sustainability in their practices. It is awarded after a successful independent desk and onsite audit using criteria recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

OSA would like to thank the following design team members for this achievement: MDO architects. Malone Group & Smart Power for their contributions in delivering the project sustainability deliverables.

The Hotel was originally constructed in the early 1990’s. Careful management of the sustainability deliverables & development budget was an ongoing process. Achieving the balance of repositioning the KPH as a 5-star leading Hotels of the world destination and meeting the STN criteria for gold certification, was not without its challenges.

Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) / Building Renovation for Commercial Buildings

What is the BRP?

Ireland, along with all EU Member States, is required to implement the new 2024 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) in the coming years.  One of the key components of this directive is the Buildings Renovation Passport (BRP), which must be rolled out as part of national compliance efforts.

Main Benefits

• Clear Renovation Roadmap: Offers a

  practical, step-by-step plan to improve building performance over time, supporting better decision-making and long-term investment.

• Supports Compliance & Value: Helps meet EU and national energy targets while enhancing the building’s value and appeal to investors or tenants.

Main Considerations

Initial Planning & Expertise Needed: Setting up a BRP involves some early planning and professional input, which may require time and resources—especially for smaller property owners.

Limited Adoption (for now): Still voluntary in Ireland, so uptake is uneven, and the full benefits may not be realised until it becomes more widely adopted.

KPH BRP Case Study Summary

In addition to achieving STN Gold certification the KPH have collaborated with the IGBC as part of the BRP directive to use the hotel renovation project as a case study, to contribute to the BRP methodology and lessons learned for the refurbishment of commercial buildings.

Below is a high-level summary of some of the KPH sustainability deliverables.

The renovation of the Killarney Park Hotel involved a full strip-out and complete redesign of all bedrooms, en-suites, and circulation corridors from the 1st to 4th floors, alongside significant upgrades to external landscaping and the arrival area.

Mechanical and electrical systems were modernised, including sub-metering, and fire and life safety works were carried out to meet Part B of the Building Regulations.

Four new large bedrooms with en-suites were added, supported by approved Fire Safety and Disability Access Certificates.

Sustainability was a key focus, with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) requested for all materials, prioritising local procurement to reduce scope 3 emissions. Additionally, all materials in contact with guests were required to have certified low VOC content, in line with EU Taxonomy 7.1.

Key Sustainable Deliverables achieved

• Circular economy principles, all existing FF&E was re-used at hotels in Dingle and Clare.

• PV array: A 65.6 kWp custom designed Solar PV system, using 125 x 525 W roof mounted tier 1 solar panels.  (5-year funded solution – investment cost spread over 5 years (60 months) payments made in monthly instalments)

• Ev Car Charging Ports. EV car charging in hotels enhances guest convenience and satisfaction by supporting the growing number of electric vehicle users. It also strengthens the hotel’s sustainability credentials, aligning with environmental goals and attracting eco-conscious travellers.

• Sub-meters have been installed to the Main incoming electricity supply and the sub distribution boards throughout the hotel, in addition to water meters, which will be monitored in real time and reviewed against the hotel's energy & water efficiency KPI's. 

• Guest Room Management System: Guest experiences intelligence (GXI)an advanced cloud-based GRMS enabling real-time monitoring & optimisation of the guest experience through objective measurable data.  Sensors are installed in the room that capture key parameters that influence the guest well-being/ sleep quality and adjust the room settings accordingly. In addition, the GRMS has key energy saving measures that monitor room occupancy.   

• Sedum nature roofs were installed on all flat roofs, which are visually appealing and eco-friendly, enhances the KPH biodiversity strategy and blends seamlessly with the natural landscape of Killarney national Park.

If you would like to learn more about sustainability through a commercial lens and develop a well-articulated sustainability plan to integrate into your building or renovation project, please contact OSA. We are a small team of dedicated professionals with extensive experience in the delivery of new build and refurbishment projects and use this practical experience as a foundation for a project’s sustainability deliverables. Unmeasured Risk is Unmanaged Risk.