‘Climate un-Laois-ed’ event at Ballintubbert House ignites passion for local climate action

An event has been held in Laois which blended sustainability discussions, music, and social engagement, all with the aim of inspiring climate action at the local level.

‘Climate un-Laois-ed’, organised by the Climate Cocktail Club and sponsored by Laois County Council, was held at the scenic Ballintubbert House as part of the Laois Climate Action Festival.

Attendees were treated to complimentary mocktails, including locally sourced ingredients.

Live music by local musicians from Lírnan on harp and violin contributed to the engaging and vibrant atmosphere.

Speaking at the event, Karen Moore, Community Climate Action Officer, Laois County Council, said:

“In supporting this event as part of the Laois Climate Action festival our goal is to bring people together and spark meaningful dialogue about how we can build a fairer and more resilient future together”.

The Climate Cocktail Club, established by Tom Popple, seeks to connect and catalyse changemakers to take action on the climate and nature crises.

Mr Popple curated this first community based Climate Cocktail Club to engage diverse audiences through a combination of learning, creativity, and networking.

“Mobilising almost 150 people from across and beyond Laois is a testament to ethos of the Climate Cocktail Club,” he said.

“Communities want to be heard, need to be included and should be given a voice to share their vision for a positive future that delivers on local needs, climate, nature.

“I’m awestruck on the night of the first ever Community Climate Cocktail Club.”

The evening began with a reading from Jeremey Haworth, a grower, poet and founder of the social farm Charis Garden in Ballyadams.

Keynote speaker Sarah Prosser, CEO of Bioregional Weaving Lab Ireland, spoke on reimagining thriving landscapes through community-first nature-based solutions.

Ms Prosser gave the audience a look through a different lens at Laois – Laois as a part of a Bioregion; a bioregion places a watershed perspective onto landscape restoration.

Ms Prosser highlighted the opportunities for Laois and its wider Bioregion in helping overcome fragmented policies, funding, perspectives and priorities to create thriving and resilient landscapes and communities.

A panel on sustainability followed, where experts discussed how rural Ireland could lead the way in sustainable living, landscape restoration, and transitioning to a greener economy.

The panel prompted conversations about integrating sustainable business practices and environmental consciousness into daily life, encouraging attendees to reflect on their roles in driving climate solutions.

“Rural communities have a unique opportunity to drive change and become leaders in climate action,” said panellist Bruce Thompson, a Laois dairy farmer and Farming for Nature Ambassador.

Panellist Mary Mulvey, Board Director, Tourism Ireland commented “There is a strong appetite in Laois to learn about how to make a difference locally for our wider environment.”

The event highlighted how both creative and collaborative inputs on climate action are hugely valued by people and that we have a collective responsibility in building our sustainable future.

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