As well as developing The Manor Fields, to ensure that it is financially sustainable, we are committed to developing our community owned amenity in a manner that recognises our responsibilities in terms of both Environmental Sustainability and Bio-Diversity. Taking our lead from the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, we believe that we need to take several actions to ensure that our amenity is environmentally sustainable into the future. We are now on a path, that will ensure that The Manor Fields is carbon neutral by the end of 2026 and that will remove over 25,000 Kg of CO2 emissions from the atmosphere, as well as other harmful gases. In addition, we will expand further our Bio-Diversity initiatives throughout 2025/6. All projects combined will
ensure that The Manor Fields will become the most comprehensive carbon neutral community amenity, in Ireland, by 2027.
Environmental Sustainability
The actions taken already to address environmental sustainability, include ;
- Building a Near Zero Emissions Community Building, which utilises the latest LED, Heat Pump, Insulation and sensor technologies.
- Expanding the use of outdoor LED Lighting to include the car park, access road and walking path.
- Replacing agricultural fertiliser with low leeching, controlled release fertiliser.
In 2025/6, the following additional environmental sustainability measures will be completed;
- Installation of a 135 Solar PV panel array, 41,350 kWh, to create renewable energy, thereby replacing fossil fuel energy.
- Installation of IOT based Energy Monitoring to optimise energy usage.
- Installation of EV Charge points.
- Solar PV Energy storage using 125KW of battery storage.
- Underground installation of Rain Water Harvesting Storage Tanks.
- Conversion of the last remaining outdoor flood-lighting to LED Lamps.
- Filtration of water run-off from the car park using reed beds, to cleanse and improve water quality.
All of these projects will be completed in a manner that will educate and inform the many and diverse users of the diverse recreational facilities, available in The Manor Fields. We plan to be a leader and reference for other community amenities, once these projects are completed. This will be done by putting in place informative, points of interest linked to QR codes, together with informative video explanations.
BIO-DIVERSITY
In 2022, we undertook a Bio-Diversity Study and Plan for the entire 25 acre site. From this plan, some of the Bio – Diversity measures already completed, include ;
- Creating wild flower areas to create support for insects and pollinators.
- Planting native trees and saplings.
In 2025/6, as part of our planned 1.4KM ECO-TRAIL (see concept below), we will add ;
- Bio-Diversity Ponds & Educational area
- Bird Boxes
- Bee Boxes
- Extensive native trees and shrub planting
- Bug Hotels
- Bat Boxes
- Fruit Trees
Editors Note:
Developed in 3 major phases since 2010, The Manor Fields now hosts over 80,000 user visits annually, from service users living in The Mid West region, and beyond. Capital funding from various state and private sources amounts to €3.5million. A further €2.05 million has been secured to the end of 2026.
Adare Recreation & Community Complex CLG t/a Manor Fields Adare, is a not-for-profit, social enterprise and charity, that is tasked with delivering on the masterplan which was developed after a wide ranging community consultation process. We are developing the 25 acres in The Manor Fields, on behalf of the community – in a manner that is both environmentally and financially sustainable.
Our goal is to develop and operate a thriving, community owned amenity, of regional importance, for recreational and community purposes – which will enhance the living environment for people of all ages and all abilities. The key themes of the facilities being provided are: multi-purpose, all inclusive, shared, multi-sport, community owned, all abilities, ‘flagship project’, not for profit, inter-generational, and socially inclusive.