By Katie Barr
Speaking in Inishowen recently, environmentalist, author, and RTÉ presenter Éanna Ní Lamhna called on people in communities across Ireland to take a stand and make small changes in their daily lives to try and combat climate change.
Speaking to a packed Colgan Hall in Carndonagh Co. Donegal, Éanna said people’s attitudes are changing.
“I think it is the first year people are realising climate change is happening here in Ireland,” she said.
During the 90-minute talk, organised by the Inishowen Development Partnership (IDP) in collaboration with ChangeMakers Donegal, Éanna commended Inishowen people for turning out in great numbers to reflect on the importance of nature and the environment. She praised community led organisations including IDP for bringing her to Inishowen and fostering community engagement in environmental issues.
“It is great when you get a community that’s going to work together,” she added.
The author of ‘The Great Irish Biodiversity Book’ (just published) Éanna called on people to take small actions to make life more sustainable.
“Don’t buy fruit such as strawberries when they are out of season.. that means they have to travel hundreds of miles to get here. If we don’t buy these food supermarkets won’t stock them,” she said.

• Éanna Ní Lamhna, Rachel Grant, IDP, Myra McAuliffe, Changemakers, Denise McCool, IDP, and Donna Marie Doherty from Highland Radio.
“Don’t use bleach on your toilet – there are other cleaners available which are not harmful to the environment and your septic tank. Get a compost or brown bin from the council to avoid food going to landfill. Consider how we use the land we have; Ireland has lost 50% of its biodiversity since the 70s because of the way we have changed land use. Plant trees.
“If you can afford it use solar power where possible, grow wildflower meadows, avoid plastic bottles and do not use weed killer,” she added.
On day two of her trip to Inishowen, Éanna travelled with members of IDP to Barrack Hill Town Park in Buncrana and Wild Inishowen’s Sharagore Wetland Trail in Desertegney. At both sites, Éanna, who was the president of the National Tree Council, planted trees, met with community and environmental groups and explored the area, whilst also chatting with and meeting local volunteers and school children.
She was impressed by both natural sites, saying that they were a credit to the people of Inishowen and all their volunteers.
In Barrack Hill, committee member and volunteer Carmel Doherty said Éanna’s ‘Wild Talk’ in the Colgan Hall was ‘an utter absolute joy’.
“When there is so much negativity out there at the minute it was great to hear someone speak so positively about what we can do to make a difference,” said Carmel.
“Your down-to-earth attitude, passion and positivity about what we must do sent us all home uplifted.
“To us, this park is the jewel of Inishowen – it is a phenomenal achievement. We have planted around 500 or 600 trees in the last five years, and we are the only Green Flag Park in Donegal – something we are immensely proud of,” added Carmel.

• Tree planting at Sharagore Wetland Trail.
Colm Grant of the Wild Inishowen Club showed off the voluntary work they have started at Sharagore and Éanna spent time exploring the trail.
“It was great to have someone like Éanna with us at Sharagore,” said Colm. “She had such enthusiasm for the work that we do and encouraged us to keep going. She gave us great advice how we can progress the project and it was great to show her the work that is going on in Inishowen.”
IDP team leader Denise McCool said the event and follow on meetings with local environmental and community groups were a response to needs identified by ECO Inishowen.
“Communities and groups across Inishowen are actively addressing biodiversity loss and environmental challenges,” said Denise. “They are increasingly aware of the local and global links and work on initiatives such as Fairtrade, local biodiversity action plans, stopping pesticide use, recycling, and nature-based solutions.”
“While we recognise the scale of challenges and the need for government action regarding climate change and mitigation, communities continue to play their part to be the change and take action. The opportunity to come together for events like this and stay positive in the work is important,” added Denise.
Following Éanna’s visit, Myra McAuliffe, project co-ordinator with ChangeMakers Donegal, who co-organised her visit, called on businesses and social enterprises in Donegal to further support and buoy the great work that local voluntary groups are doing by becoming more environmentally friendly in everything they do.
She invited social enterprises and businesses in Donegal to sign up for the free ChangeMakers sustainability programme.
“This will help them save money, attract customers, set themselves apart from competitors, and most importantly, ensure a safe, healthy and successful future for our local community and the planet as a whole”.
More info: www.changemakers.ie/sp