Eco Chats: Carlow's Eco Journey

Inside Carlow County Council

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/ [https://scanner.topsec.com/?d=1781&r=show&u=https%3A%2F%2Fcarlow.ie%2F&t=536385fec7254855b861937465344f98808fd26e]

Environmental Groups

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/ [https://scanner.topsec.com/?d=1781&r=show&u=https%3A%2F%2Fcarlow.ie%2F&t=536385fec7254855b861937465344f98808fd26e]

Tidy Towns

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/ [https://scanner.topsec.com/?d=1781&r=show&u=https%3A%2F%2Fcarlow.ie%2F&t=536385fec7254855b861937465344f98808fd26e]

Inclusivity

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/ [https://scanner.topsec.com/?d=1781&r=show&u=https%3A%2F%2Fcarlow.ie%2F&t=536385fec7254855b861937465344f98808fd26e]

Young People

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/ [https://scanner.topsec.com/?d=1781&r=show&u=https%3A%2F%2Fcarlow.ie%2F&t=536385fec7254855b861937465344f98808fd26e]