Cloughjordan Ecovillage
Dark Source
The sensitive exterior lighting of an ecovillage in Ireland by Dark Source has won both a Build Back Better GOLD and GREEN Award in the 2026 lighting category.
The sensitive exterior lighting of an ecovillage in Ireland by Dark Source has won both a Build Back Better GOLD and GREEN Award in the 2026 lighting category.
Located in County Tipperary, Cloughjordan Ecovillage is Ireland’s leading sustainable community and serves as an important model for local climate action, rural regeneration, and low-carbon living.
The ecovillage was first developed in 2009 and for 15 years it was unlit. A lighting scheme was a requirement of planning from the local authority and needed to be installed if further development could take place.
Keen to preserve ecovillage’s existing dark infrastructure, the residents sought an approach to minimise the impact of artificial light on the nocturnal environment.
This led to the development of a sensitive strategy which pushed the boundaries of environmentally responsible and judicious lighting design.
The scheme aimed to improve connectivity through the neighbourhood for both residents and visitors.
Bat surveys found eight of Ireland’s nine native bat species, including four highly light-sensitive species which warranted restraint whilst informing a judicious design approach and operation of the lighting scheme.
This led to detailed discussions with Tipperary County Council officials who were highly accommodating in working towards the lowest practical lighting standards. They also supported the trialling of PIR sensing to further reduce unnecessary artificial light.
The 2200K lighting scheme incorporated 5m-high columns along the vehicular route, complemented by low-level bollard lighting to provide a safe alternative route for pedestrians.
Custom optics were developed to minimise light spill onto the walls where bat roosts were suspected. Solar-powered low output bollards were introduced within the market square to provide appropriate levels of illumination whilst avoiding over-lighting within the site core. Post-project SQM readings confirmed no impact on sky-quality.
It was agreed that the site would remain unlit between April and September, protecting the period of greatest ecological sensitivity.
Lighting would only be introduced once the hibernation period had commenced. During the first year, PIR-controlled lighting will be trialled under carefully monitored conditions, allowing bat activity to be compared against subsequent years.
Subject to the monitoring demonstrating no adverse impact, operational hours will be increased incrementally and in a controlled manner. This evidence-based adaptive approach represents an important precedent of protecting biodiversity and preserving the site's character.
Ultimately, the project demonstrates the influence that environmentally-conscious communities can have on the wider built environment. The commitment to protecting dark skies extended beyond the ecovillage itself, contributing to a campaign that helped secure full cut-off, 2700K street-lighting lanterns across the adjoining town.
This represents an important step towards Cloughjordan's wider aspiration to become a Dark Sky community.
Important suppliers include Schréder, HEPER, Timberlab B.V., Cariboni and NuLumenTek. Pictures: Kerem Asfuroglu, Darren Flynn
