Omagh Hostel

Marella Fyffe
9a Waterworks Road
Omagh
Co.Tyrone
NorthernIreland
BT79 7JS

Tel: +44 (0)28 8224 1973
Fax: +44 (0)28 8224 1973
Email: marella@omaghhostel.co.uk

Website: www.omaghhostel.co.uk

The Omagh Hostel is situated in the Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The Fyffe family, owners of the Hostel and farm on which it is located, do more than their bit to help preserve this precious landscape.  They have a great recycling system; "My pigs are the best recycling bin", said Marella Fyffe, "there is a lot of waste food at the hostel, such as pasta and bread, which is hard to compost.  But the pigs love it".  Alongside the ducks, hens and rooster, there is also an extensive vegetable farm being worked here, and it is a favourite spot for voluntary Wwoof'ers, (Willing Workers On Organic Farms), who contribute to putting the sustainability principles into practice on this farm.

Paying guests are welcome too, of course.  This is hostel life at its best, with a welcoming family on your doorstep to help you get to know the local landscape, such as the Sperrins Mountains or Gortin Glens, the latter comprising 4000 acres of luscious coniferous forest.  The rooms are clean and comfortable, and great value.  For walking, they have an impressive list of local guides on their website and for cycling, Omagh is one of the main links to Sustran's Cycle Route 92.  There are family bikes at the hostel which guests can borrow.

These eco-credentials are just starters on a menu of impressive steps taken by the Fyffe family to create Ireland's first carbon neutral hostel by end 2009.  Such as a biomass boiler for central heating, solar panels in the main house, low-energy lightbulbs, excellent visitor information about carbon reduction, green electricity sourcing, measurement of carbon footprint, tree-planting and low-energy lighting. In addition, they are due to complete an extensive reed bed and wetland system.  Take the bus to Omagh, and the Fyffes will always pick you up too.  But bring your wellies - their enthusiasm for green living is so infectious, you are more than likely going to want to muck in and help.

Written by: Catherine Mack