Eco Chats: Carlow's Eco Journey

Can a bustling public swimming pool run completely fossil-fuel free? How can a voluntary committee heat an enormous, high-ceilinged community sports hall for roughly the cost of an ordinary domestic home?

In this episode of Eco Chats we visit two community hubs in County Carlow to explore what happens when grassroots passion meets smart energy efficiency. First up, Conor chats with Paul Dougge, maintenance manager at Graiguecullen Swimming Pool. Paul talks us through the years of work to transform the sustainability of the swimming pool. Replacing oil burners with geothermal boreholes, air-to-water heat pumps, solar PV panels, and water-saving shower aerators. The result is a thriving community pool that is now 100% fossil-fuel free and passes the financial savings directly back to local families.

Next, we head to Old Leighlin Community Sports Hall to meet Alice O’Leary. Built originally by local volunteers to provide young people with a court to play basketball, the facility has continuously evolved its energy setup. Alice explains how the hall transitioned from early biomass heating to modern rooftop solar PV, underfloor heating, battery storage, and exterior insulation—proving that rural, volunteer-led groups do not need a background in engineering to access grant supports and build long-term sustainable infrastructure.

Credits:
Produced by the Environment Department of Carlow County Council in partnership with the Carlow Arts Office and Creative Ireland.
Hosted by Conor Reid and edited by Dan Wilcox, The Podcast Studios.
Executive Producer: Dee Sewell, Carlow County Council.

Across County Carlow, grassroots hubs provide welcoming spaces where different generations meet, share skills, tackle rural isolation, and put circular, sustainable living into daily practice. In this episode, host Conor Reid travels to Ballon and Tinryland to explore two thriving local hubs that are revitalising their rural communities.

First, we chat to Maura George, chairperson of Ballon Tidy Towns and Ballon Improvement Group, to learn about An Siopa Glas. Founded in 2012 and driven by dedicated volunteers, the community shop sells everything "from a needle to an anchor" – upcycling donated furniture, altering pre-loved textiles, and reinvesting proceeds directly back into village biodiversity and enhancement projects.

Next, we travel to Tinryland Community Hub to speak to committee members Mary Foley and Leo Hogan. The hub was set up to restore a vital communal heart to the parish after the closure of local amenities. Operating on a not-for-profit social enterprise model, the hub features an affordable and social café, Irish language meetups, workshops and lots more.

Credits:

Produced by the Environment Department of Carlow County Council in partnership with the Carlow Arts Office and Creative Ireland.
Hosted by Conor Reid and edited by Dan Wilcox, The Podcast Studios.
Executive Producer: Dee Sewell, Carlow County Council.

A large art gallery might seem worlds away from a local community garden, but this episode explores how there's not always a clear distinction between community engagement and artistic practice. From growing dye plants for workshops to repairing textiles and carving local stone, art plays an essential role in fostering community resilience, sustainability, and personal connection across County Carlow.

In this episode, we visit VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art in Carlow Town to chat to Learning Curator Clare Breen. Clare discusses how VISUAL is opening its doors to the wider community through completely free gallery access and its Sustainable Futures program. She highlights inspiring local initiatives including an experimental solar-powered greenhouse, a community plant garden for natural dyes, DIY paper recycling, and "permacomputing" — repurposing older electronic hardware for eco-friendly tech projects.

Later in the episode, artist Philip Cullen discusses his multidisciplinary work in Tullow, where local residents are creating stone carvings for display in the Tullow Biodiversity Garden. Philip explores the delicate balance between using physical art materials and their environmental footprint, while advocating for everyone's fundamental right not just to view art, but to participate directly in making it.

Credits:

Produced by the Environment Department of Carlow County Council in partnership with the Carlow Arts Office and Creative Ireland.
Hosted by Conor Reid and edited by Dan Wilcox, The Podcast Studios.
Executive Producer: Dee Sewell, Carlow County Council.

In this episode of Carlow Eco Chats, we take to the streets of to explore the connected network of sustainable travel options in rural and urban Carlow. The episode dives into active travel initiatives, electric vehicle (EV) adoption, and the crucial role of public transport in building safer, greener communities. Featuring interviews with transport experts and local residents, the discussion tackles common misconceptions about sustainable transport and highlights how infrastructure upgrades are shifting long-term habits.

First up is Terry Brennan, Senior Communications Manager for Active Travel at the National Transport Authority (NTA), who points out that active travel encompasses walking, wheeling, and cycling for everyday journeys – not just cycle paths! Brennan discusses the NTA's work with local councils on safety-focused infrastructure like junction tightening and the Safe Routes to School program, which aims to reduce morning traffic congestion while encouraging healthy habits in children.

Next, Carlow engineer and EV driver Brian O’Donovan shares his personal transition to electric driving, detailing the practicalities of rural commuting, home charging, rapid motorway networks, and the broader environmental awareness that comes with driving electric.

Closing out the episode, Jackie Mealy, General Manager of Local Link Carlow, Kilkenny, Wicklow, breaks down the evolution of rural public transport. From its origins as flexible, demand-responsive door-to-door services to integrated daily regional routes, Local Link has grown into a vital lifeline serving commuters, students, and tourists across rural Ireland.

Credits:

• Produced by the Environment Department of Carlow County Council in partnership with the Carlow Arts Office and Creative Ireland.
• Hosted by Conor Reid and edited by Dan Wilcox, The Podcast Studios.
• Executive Producer: Dee Sewell, Carlow County Council.

Carlow’s Eco Chat Podcast is back for another season!

This popular local podcast continues to shine a light on the people, groups and volunteers across Carlow who are quietly taking on some of the biggest challenges of our time.

Throughout the new season, listeners will hear inspiring stories from creative artists, community gardeners, schools, public transport providers, community hubs, energy advisors and sustainability champions. From helping families reduce their energy costs and cutting textile waste, to creating greener neighbourhoods and stronger communities, each episode celebrates the practical actions that are making a real difference across the county.

Eco Chat is a reminder that climate action is not just happening at a national level. It is happening here in Carlow every day, driven by local people who care deeply about their communities and are helping to build a more sustainable future for everyone.

Credits:

• Produced by the Environment Department of Carlow County Council in partnership with the Carlow Arts Office and Creative Ireland.
• Hosted by Conor Reid, HeadStuff Podcasts.
• Executive Producer: Dee Sewell, Carlow County Council.

A special word of thanks to the Environment, Climate, Arts and Library Teams at Carlow County Council, and to all the wonderful people in our communities who agreed to share their inspiring stories with us.

Episode 1.

In this episode, Conor chats with Dan from An Gairdín Beo and Sharon from Bagenalstown Community Garden about all things community growing. From sharing food and gardening tips to bringing people together, they discuss how these spaces are helping to create greener, healthier communities while supporting biodiversity, reducing waste and building connections between people of all ages. It's a warm and inspiring conversation that shows how small local actions can grow into something really special.

In this episode, host Alan Swan steps inside Carlow County Council to meet the people driving climate action from within the organisation. Senior Executive Officer Tadhg Madden, Environmental Awareness Officer Dee Sewell, and Climate Action Coordinator Jeanette O’Brien share how a small county is delivering real change through practical and ambitious initiatives.

From retrofitting homes and supporting community projects to developing rain gardens, promoting circular fashion, and pioneering Ireland’s first low carbon fire engine, their work shows how collaboration, creativity and everyday commitment can make a big difference. Carlow proves that meaningful climate action often begins with simple ideas, strong partnerships and a determination to keep moving forward.

About Carlow’s Eco Journey

Carlow’s Eco Journey highlights the county’s growing environmental movement and the inspiring people behind it. Each episode explores how communities, volunteers and local leaders are taking action, protecting heritage, and building a more sustainable future.

Credits

Produced by Carlow County Council in association with Creative Ireland
Hosted by Alan Swan
Executive Producer: Dee Sewell
Sound Production, Design and Research: SwanMcG
Special thanks to Carlow County Council Environmental and Climate Action Team, Creative Ireland Carlow and stakeholders
This project is funded and supported by Creative Ireland Carlow and Carlow Arts Office.

For more information: https://carlow.ie/

Across Carlow, small groups of volunteers are quietly taking on some of the biggest challenges of our time. They are planting pocket forests in housing estates, pulling invasive species from riverbanks, running sold-out climate events, gathering neighbours for film screenings, and teaching people how to ferment, forage and reconnect with nature. In this episode, host Alan Swan meets Molly Aylesbury, Chair of the County Carlow Environmental Network (CCEN), and Pam Butler of Ballin Temple Nature Sanctuary. Through their stories, we discover how finding your tribe, sharing skills, and supporting one another can transform concern into collective action. Their work shows that environmental change often begins with community, curiosity and the simple decision to start where you are.

About Carlow’s Eco Journey

Carlow’s Eco Journey shines a spotlight on the county’s vibrant environmental actions and the inspiring individuals and groups behind them. From conservation efforts and heritage protection to inclusive green initiatives and creative climate solutions, each episode captures the spirit of collaboration and care that defines Carlow’s approach to climate action.

Credits

Produced by Carlow County Council in association with Creative Ireland
Hosted by Alan Swan
Executive Producer: Dee Sewell (Carlow County Council)
Sound Production, Design and Research: SwanMcG
Special thanks to Carlow County Council Environmental and Climate Action Team, Creative Ireland Carlow and stakeholders
This project is funded and supported by Creative Ireland Carlow and Carlow Arts Office.

For more information: https://carlow.ie/

There's a man in Bagenalstown who has been tending to his town for 55 years. A man in Tullow celebrating 30 years of community care. And a designer in Carlow Town who's discovered that belonging to a place means becoming its custodian. In this episode, host Alan Swan meets Paddy Gardiner of the Bagenalstown Improvement Group, Will Paton of Tullow Tidy Towns, and Matt Cocci, Chair of Carlow Tidy Towns. Together, they reveal how small, consistent acts, planting pollinators, painting benches, collecting rainwater, and fighting graffiti with art, have helped shape cleaner, kinder, more connected communities across Carlow. Their stories remind us that environmental action doesn't always come from policies or grand plans, but from friendship, pride, and showing up week after week to care for the place you call home.

About Carlow's Eco Journey

Carlow's Eco Journey shines a spotlight on the county's vibrant environmental actions and the inspiring individuals and groups behind them. From conservation efforts and heritage protection to inclusive green initiatives and creative climate solutions, each episode captures the spirit of collaboration and care that defines Carlow's approach to climate action.

Credits
Produced by Carlow County Council in association with Creative Ireland
Hosted by Alan Swan
Executive Producer: Dee Sewell (Carlow County Council)
Sound Production, Design & Research: SwanMcG
Special thanks to: Carlow County Council Environmental & Climate Action Team, Creative Ireland Carlow and Stakeholders
This project is funded and supported by Creative Ireland Carlow and Carlow Arts Office.

For more information: https://carlow.ie/

In this episode, host Alan Swan speaks with Dolly Dunne from the Irish Wheelchair Association and Trevor Gillespie from the Delta Centre to discover how Carlow is proving that true sustainability isn't possible without accessibility. From specially designed raised garden beds to sensory gardens that calm the mind and restore the spirit, this episode reveals an essential truth: when we design environmental projects with accessibility at their core, we create better spaces for everyone.

About Carlow's Eco Journey: Carlow's Eco Journey shines a spotlight on the county's vibrant environmental actions quietly taking place, and the inspiring individuals and groups behind them. From conservation efforts and heritage protection to inclusive green initiatives and creative climate solutions, each episode captures the spirit of collaboration and care that defines Carlow's approach to climate action.

Credits: Produced by Carlow County Council in association with Creative Ireland. Hosted by Alan Swan. Executive Producer: Dee Sewell (Carlow County Council). Sound Production, Design & Research: SwanMcG. Special thanks to: Carlow County Council Environmental & Climate Action Team, Creative Ireland Carlow & Stakeholders. This project is funded and supported by Creative Ireland Carlow and Carlow Arts Office.

For more information: https://carlow.ie/

Eight-year-olds conducting energy audits. University students partnering with local organisations on sustainability projects. A generation that doesn't need to be convinced climate action matters - they already know. In this episode, host Alan Swan speaks with Susanne Keating from Carlow Educate Together National School and David Ryan from South East Technological University to discover how young people in Carlow aren't waiting for permission to create change. From building bug hotels and wildflower meadows to implementing real-world circular economy solutions, this episode reveals that the next generation isn't paralysed by eco-anxiety - they're activated by eco-action.

About Carlow's Eco Journey: Carlow's Eco Journey shines a spotlight on the county's vibrant environmental actions quietly taking place, and the inspiring individuals and groups behind them. From conservation efforts and heritage protection to inclusive green initiatives and creative climate solutions, each episode captures the spirit of collaboration and care that defines Carlow's approach to climate action.

Credits: Produced by Carlow County Council in association with Creative Ireland. Hosted by Alan Swan. Executive Producer: Dee Sewell (Carlow County Council). Sound Production, Design & Research: SwanMcG. Special thanks to: Carlow County Council Environmental & Climate Action Team, Creative Ireland Carlow & Stakeholders. This project is funded and supported by Creative Ireland Carlow and Carlow Arts Office.

For more information: https://carlow.ie/