 | Entrepreneur: Nuala McNulty Location: Tawnylust, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim Established: 2008 Famous For: Eco-friendly self-catering rental apartment Supports received from Leitrim LEO: Trading Online Voucher, Sales and Marketing Workshops / Training courses, Mentoring |
Having been involved in tourism and eco-tourism for many years, Nuala McNulty set-up Tawnylust Lodge in 2008. Passionate about sharing the natural beauty and fantastic attractions of her native Leitrim, Nuala felt there was a gap in the market for eco-friendly accommodation with an emphasis on spending time in nature. In July 2009, Tawnylust Lodge was awarded the EU Ecolabel which is a voluntary standard for tourism providers. It is a system with a vigorous auditing programme by NSAI, the National Standards Authority of Ireland. Tawnylust Lodge is one of the few premises in Ireland to have been awarded this standard.
- Challenges you faced when starting:
Although Nuala had extensive knowledge of Ecotourism following completion of the Certificate in Ecotourism course from Sligo IT, she found being a one-person operation very challenging as she did not have experience in all areas. “I availed of training in Marketing which has been very helpful to me. I also found being a member of a tourism network very helpful as it gave an opportunity to speak to others in similar businesses”.
As Tawnylust Lodge is a one-bed self-catering apartment, guests can rest assured they will have the place to themselves. Being a smaller premises, it means solo travellers or couples don’t have to pay a premium for a larger premises. “Whether you are an Irish person looking for a staycation, or an international traveller seeking an authentic experience of rural Ireland, it is the perfect escape from the stresses and strains of the modern world. Accommodation is wheelchair accessible and is located on a working farm where guests can interact with the animals.”
Covid-19 has had both a positive and negative impact on Tawnylust lodge. “I was closed for a lot of 2020 which was very difficult however 2021 has been really good with staycations. There is already a good number of bookings for 2022 so I am hopeful people can continue to travel and stay.”
- Supports received through the Local Enterprise Office:
Recognising knowledge gaps in certain areas, Nuala availed of multiple training opportunities. “I completed a number of training workshops in Marketing and Social media. The knowledge gained on these courses really helped me to promote Tawnylust Lodge. I also recently received the Trading Online Voucher to develop my website, in particular the booking engine. This enables visitors to check availability quickly and easily, which is important.”
- Why Nuala believes it is important to #LookForLocal
Nuala believes in a “circular economy” and, as part of the EU Ecolabel which she holds, “local purchases are an inherent part.” With excellent reviews on TripAdvisor and social media, Tawnylust lodge is your perfect tranquil retreat.
