The Gyreum Eco Lodge

Colm Stapleton
The Gyreum Eco Lodge
Corlisheen
Riverstown
Co. Sligo

Tel: 071 9165994
Email: info@gyreum.com

Website: www.gyreum.com

Picture a giant yurt shaped timber-framed building, emerging out of the Sligo earth like a temple, and you get a rough idea of what the Gyreum looks like. However, in order to protect it from the wind, it has been designed to sink almost invisibly into the hills, allowing it to blend in perfectly with this hilly lakeland. The bedrooms and bathrooms are slotted into its interior stone walls, giving them a cave-like cosiness. Cave or canvas, the Gyreum is definitely as close to nature as you will get, without getting wet.

There are even some tents erected inside, in the grand circular hall. No better way to deal with the Irish rain. This central space is the lifeblood of The Gyreum, with geothermally heated flagstone floor, vast wood- burning stove and giant dining table. It is  the epicentre where visitors hang out on battered armchairs, and eat the Gyreum's trademark soup, which is never off the boil.

The Gyreum is basic hostel-style accommodation, but with an ecodifference. There are two wind turbines to power the geothermal heating, solar panels for hot water and, as well as traditional toilets connected to a reed  bed, there is an outside compost toilet. Rain water from the huge conical roof is collected in a 1500 litre tank, and pumped back for use in showers and toilets.  The organic vegetable garden is manured from their neighbours' horse stables, and topped up by wormery and compost heap. 

The Gyreum's most sought after package is the Pilgrim's Progress Tour, a seven day 250 kms walking circuit on land, sea and lake, covering six counties. Visiting Celtic Hermits' dens, island monastic sites, sweat lodges and ending with a 24 hour retreat in time for the full moon. Indeed, many visitors come here to get back in touch with, even worship, the elements.  It is real, gritty tourism, and to spread the word about this fresh approach to getting back to nature, they have established a webcam, so that visitors can share their views on, and from the top of, the Gyreum. This is the Gyreum for you, giving a continuously innovative and inspiring view of the world.

Written by: Catherine Mack