NOMINATION: The Black Sheep Hostel on New St has been shortlisted for an award by Hostel World in the Extraordinary Sustainable Hostel category. Pictured is Kevin Leahy. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

By Michelle Crean

It may have been their toughest year in business but that hasn't stopped one local eco friendly hostel from being nominated for a prestigious award. The Black Sheep Hostel, who have been in business just five years with an ethos of protecting the environment, have been shortlisted in the Extraordinary Sustainable Hostel category by Hostel World.

And it's not the first time they had their hard efforts recognised. In 2018 the business, which is a 19th-century townhouse in New Street, was voted third best hostel in Ireland, followed by Best Hostel in Ireland in 2019. Last year they were listed as one of the top five best hostels in Ireland.

The eco-adventure hostel opened the 'Coffee Shack' last May as the hostel business was practically non-existent due to the ongoing pandemic, and owner Kevin Leahy said this new sideline which is supporting the main business is "going from strength to strength".

They're up for the award due to their commitment to the environment as all their electricity comes from renewable sources, they have a 30 foot polytunnel in the back garden where they grow their own vegetables and herbs, and their chickens are mainly fed food waste from the hostel kitchen. They also have an organic composting system and they've a big focus on buy local where possible.

Compostable takeaway cups and Fair Trade coffee are the norm, and they reuse their coffee grinds in the garden as well as give to customers to take home to their own compost heaps.

"We have a really good recycling policy," Kevin told the Killarney Advertiser.
"We buy local where we can."

The HOSCARs judges selected The Black Sheep Hostel as one of the five Extraordinary Sustainable Hostels finalists but now it’s up to the public to help them win. They are up against hostels in England, Namibia, Greece and Kenya.

"Vote to keep Killarney going. Vote for the Irish business," Kevin added.

To vote for The Black Sheep Hostel go to www.hostelworld.com, then to their blog section and search Extraordinary Sustainable Hostels.