At Galway Bay Golf, we believe true excellence extends beyond the fairways. It lies in how we care for the land beneath them, the waters that frame them, and the wildlife that calls this coastline home. Our sustainability journey is guided by respect—for our environment, our community, and the generations who will play here after us.

Our course is a living ecosystem.
Greens and fairways naturally sequester carbon, helping absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere. We’ve enhanced this process by introducing low-input grass varieties that require less fertilizer, chemical, and water use. Rainwater harvesting now supports irrigation, reducing reliance on treated city water and preserving this precious resource.

We’ve allowed nature to reclaim its place along our fairways.
Nine acres of rough once managed through mowing and spraying have been rewilded — creating natural habitats for bees, birds, and insects. The return of the skylark, a species once absent from our course, stands as a proud symbol of renewal. In 2024, we planted native wildflowers, with expansion in 2025 as part of our contribution to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

Once absent from our fairways, the skylark — a bird synonymous with the Galway Bay coast — has returned, a testament to our commitment to rewilding and habitat restoration. By allowing nine acres of rough to grow naturally and introducing wildflowers, we’ve created the perfect environment for these iconic birds to nest and thrive. Each morning their song now fills the course, a living reminder that luxury golf and environmental stewardship can flourish together.

Progress is measured in action.
By sourcing our fairway sand from a local supplier, we’ve reduced over 9,000 kilometres of haulage and saved 3,400 litres of diesel annually. A full conversion to electric golf buggies has eliminated 1,200 litres of petrol use each year — small steps with a significant impact.

We’ve reduced our environmental footprint through simple, conscious change.
All member communications, invoices, and receipts are now digital — eliminating paper waste while improving efficiency. In the clubhouse and Pro Shop, we’ve moved away from single-use plastics, replacing plastic tees with wooden alternatives and ceasing the sale of bottled water — removing thousands of plastic items from circulation each year.