Eco-tourism resort plan outlined after hotel group buys 140 acres

The Hodson Bay Group has acquired the Yew Point peninsula, spanning 140 acres adjacent to the hotel and surrounded by Lough Ree.

The company has outlined early plans to create one of Ireland's top ecotourism attractions on the peninsula.

Yew Point is situated at the edge of Lough Ree adjacent to Hodson Bay Hotel and two of Lough Ree's 52 islands, Horse Island and Robin Island, are included on the title to the Yew Point lands.

Hodson Bay Group’s Chairman, John O’Sullivan said: “The peninsula has incredible potential for an eco tourism offering to meet the ever growing demand from the environmentally conscious millennial generation.”

“People are now acutely aware of the urgency surrounding conservation of the natural environment for future generations, their objective is to come and enjoy the natural environment in a manner which ensures that their presence doesn’t impact the natural eco system and they leave no trace of their having ever been there.”

With the reopening of the Hodson Bay Hotel, guests can now access a series of tracks and trails which have been put in place through Yew Point over the lockdown period.

Hodson Bay Group says the utmost care has been taken during the development of the trails to ensure all the ancient woodlands and thriving local wildlife are undisturbed.

Available at present are the Yew Point Loop and Fairy Trail, which offer a 1.5km or 5km route.

Members of the public can book a six-kilometre hike around the lands on a controlled basis on www.yewpointathodsonbay.com

At the heart of the peninsula lies 100 acres of sprawling rich meadowlands. The peninsula is also home to some of the finest and rarest examples of the ancient Irish Oak left standing in Ireland.

The entire perimeter of the lands meets the lake and all along the shoreline more than six kilometers of native woodlands has also been untouched for hundreds of years.

Visitors to Yew Point will see magnificent specimens of the native ash, yew, birch, hazel, willow and all of the native indigenous Irish species are abundant in these woodlands.

Guests can also treat themselves to a Luxury Picnic Hamper where Yew Point's very own Butler will not only deliver your very own wicker basket of goodies, but will also set the scene for you under one of Yew Point's ancient oak trees.

Or for something a little more mindful, guests can book Yoga and Meditation with Yoga Master Mevin, in the beautiful natural surroundings of Yew Point.

Later this summer, guests can also book the hotel's resident tour guide for a two-hour guided Wildlife and History Adventure exploring the shoreline habitats around Lough Ree. Or at sun rise, set off with our tour guide and experience the Yew Point Dawn or a refreshing lake swim at Yew Point's sandy beach with hotel's lifeguard.

Mr O’Sullivan said the hotel is working on a feasibility study in collaboration with Roscommon County Council, Waterways Ireland and Failte Ireland to create a free public walkway which it hopes will materialise in the not too distant future.

“We are also exploring many options including eco-cabins, bird watching, herb gardens wildlife sanctuaries and much more with conservation and sustainability at the heart of Yew Point's offering.”