Cloughjordan Ecovillage, located in Co. Tipperary, is Ireland’s first ecovillage. In the 15 years since the first residents moved in, we have shown the power and possibility of sustainable living.
We work to; minimise pollution to the air, water and land; demonstrate a new approach to rural regeneration; facilitate systems whereby people can create local and sustainable work; and provide for the cultural, artistic and non-material needs of the residents of the village and surrounding community.
We are pioneers in sustainable living. This has led to a number of achievements such as: being a finalist in the 2020 Transformative Cities awards and being selected for the European Union’s MILESECURE-2050 project.
There is no problem more urgent than the climate crisis, in all its facets. “Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine” (it’s in the shelter of others that people survive) is not just a belief, it’s a way of life – the only way of life that is truly sustainable. With every passing year, it becomes more urgent to show and teach others how a sustainable way of life is achievable in their own communities.
Key milestones
Our Timeline
Formation of Sustainable Projects Ireland. Prospectus launched to attract members
Identification of Cloughjordan as the possible location of the Ecovillage
First in a series of town hall meetings with residents of Cloughjordan
Ecological Charter completed and agreed by the membership
Drafting of the Master Plan and other key documents
Submission of application for planning
Grant of Outline Planning Permission
Purchase of the 67-acre site
Securing of loan finance for infrastructure works
Commencement of infrastructure works
EU Concerto Grant for Energy Centre
Completion of infrastructure works
Launch of the house build phase
First residents move in
Fibre optic cabling installed for telecommunications and broadband
Planting of 17,000 trees in the community woodland
Eco-hostel opens to the public
Construction begins on Eco-Enterprise Centre
50 homes built or under construction
Winner of International Award for Liveable Communities, the Green Oscars, hosted in China
Cloughjordan Ecovillage has an ecological footprint of 2 global hectares (gHa), the lowest of any community recorded in Ireland.
Selected by Milesecure academic project for the European Commission as one of Europe’s 23 most successful ‘anticipatory experiences’ of the transition to a low-energy society
The opening ceremony of the Cloughjordan Amphitheatre with President Michael D. Higgins
Cloughjordan Ecovillage is nominated for Transformative Cities People’s choice awards in the Housing Category.
“20 Years-a-growing” Celebration event of 20 years of the evolution of Cloughjordan Ecovillage opened by Minister Eamonn Ryan
The ‘Wider Perspectives’ event provided a supported space for our community to consider how the growing challenges in the world today need to inform our plans to develop, live and work together into the foreseeable future.
Established in 1999
Our Story
Sustainable Projects Ireland first pitched their idea of Ireland’s first ecovillage to the public in the Central Hotel, Dublin in 1999. After searching for a site for three years, the 67 acre site in Cloughjordan was chosen. Although the financial crash of 2008 caused a major setback to the project, with many planned residents dropping out of the project, hard work and determination kept the project going ahead. In 2009 the first residents of Ireland’s first ecovillage proudly moved into their newly constructed homes in Cloughjordan Ecovillage
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Our Town
Local Services
Ecovillage Enterprises
The Ecovillage hosts a vibrant network of learning providers and enterprises based in or around...
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Visitor attractions
There are a number of places that may interest any visitor to Cloughjordan. All within...
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Shops and Services
Cloughjordan is a small town with lots going on. Here is a list of shops...
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Testimonials
Renewable energy heating, energy-efficient homes, biodiversity, local produce, the freedom of children to play, encounter nature, green enterprise centre, solar to wood part community heating, many acres devoted to allotments, farming, thousands of native trees – All of this is an agenda about life and hope and our planet, and The Village stands as an impressive and encouraging testimony to all that can be achieved – and I think what is so important is that this has all been merged and bonded with the existing town
Leaving Cloughjordan, I find myself inspired by the success of the community’s efforts. They’re demonstrating that it is possible to reduce emissions by tackling the key areas of home heating, food, transport, and power.
Ultra-modern, durable, energy-efficient homes that are innovative and funky are only part of what the Cloughjordan project is about – it’s also about building a resilient, vibrant community.
The village as a way of living is something we’ve had for millennia….our villages need to rethink their heart..
This option of being able to build your own home within a village is quite unique in Ireland.
I am so grateful to have SPI as a partner in educating my students. Immersion experiences at the Cloughjordan Ecovillage are an invaluable tool for teaching Environmental Studies today. The ecovillage is a living laboratory of sustainability and provides an antidote to all the doom and gloom students perceive in so many environmental courses these days. They get to meet real people experimenting with and modeling all kinds of practices they can take home and put to work in their own homes and communities.
The following comments exemplify the reflections of most of my students:
“I learned more about community, hard-work, and communication here than I have in my college career,” and “Knowing about Ecovillage existence has given me a hopeful and grateful feeling.”
Meet our residents/members
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors are ecovillage residents that ensure that Cloughjordan Ecovillage serves as a model for sustainable living. The Board is currently working towards moving the ecovillage along a new stage of development.
Una MacNamara, Secretary
Una Mac Namara is a long time resident of the Ecovillage. She has a deep interest in, and concern for, nature and the environment. She has been involved in many aspects of Ecovillage life, with a strong commitment to our education remit. Una is a retired Primary School Principal with a certificate in Management and a Masters in Ecotheology. She engages her past experiences and education to contribute to life in the Ecovillage.
Andrew Lummis, Chairperson
Andrew has worked as a professional actor, theatre director, and film producer for more than 25 years in Ireland and the UK. He has an MA in Theatre studies from DCU. He has been a member of the Cloughjordan Ecovillage project since 2004. He and his wife Deirdre have built a cob and straw and bale house by hand in the Ecovillage. He is very passionate about sustainable, low impact living. Whilst building their cob house, Andrew and his family lived in a yurt in an orchard for 6 years.
Anne McEleney, Treasurer
Anne McEleney, a retired accountant, moved to the Ecovillage in 2022. She relocated from Dublin to Cloughjordan to be near family in Nenagh and Cloughjordan. With a background in accounting, she now channels her skills into the position of Treasurer on the SPI Board.
Patrick O'Connor
Living in Cloughjordan since 2006, Patrick self-built his family home in the Ecovillage, without any prior building experience. He considers this an example of the life learning experiences more likely to happen in the environment of a creative and supportive community. He works as a psychotherapist in Youthreach schools in Roscrea and Templemore and also teaches Kung fu and Kickboxing in Cloughjordan. He holds a MSc in Mindfulness Studies. He and his wife Majella grow a lot of their family’s food. Attending the wonderful 1st Friday music sessions in the Ecovillage, Patrick writes music inspired by themes nurtured by the Ecovillage, such as environmental awareness and love of nature and life.