Worldwide activists gather in Laois for Climate Carnival of ideas

A Climate Carnival rolled into Laois last week, with global activists and eco business leaders gathering for two days to share wisdom and ideas.

Hosted by the global Climate Cocktail Club, it was based in the idyllic organic gardens of Ballintubbert House near Stradbally.

Over two days, including cocktails and glamping, ticket holders heard from speakers like Blindboy, Hector Ó hEochagáin, Dr Tara Shine, RTÉ ecologist Anja Murray, Seahorse Journey founder Kealan Doyle, Laois gardening presenter Kitty Scully, Laois born Ballymaloe founder Darina Allen, combined with performers like Liam Ó Maonlaí, Jerry Fish and comedian Diane O'Connor.

Charles Preston is co-owner of Ballintubbert House, for the past 10 years, with his twin brother John and Graham Creswell. They also run the famed Salty Dog stage at the nearby Electric Picnic.

Charles Preston, owner, Ballintubbert House. Photo: Leinster Express

“This event is something we're in awe of. Laois is today at the centre of its climate action week. Some speakers flew in from New York to talk about how Ireland can potentially lead Europe in sustainability,” he said.

Ballintubbert has the first certified organic formal gardens in the country.

“Organic is at the core of what we do. Climate change has affected it directly, some plants no longer thrive. We monitor our insect life, we also educate school groups and host events like weddings,” he said.

Cllr Barry Walsh was present as Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council who are the host sponsor. The council is also holding a Climate Festival in Laois for October.

“This is a hugely positive event, really innovative. I heard what they are trying to achieve, it gives hope to people on trying to change.

“I was impressed by a speaker from Grow Your Own Food giving tips on foraging and growing organic food.

“It's great to get all influential people in a space and try to make a positive impact,” he said.

Laois County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Barry Walsh, Cllr Padraig Fleming, Suzanne Dempsey and Kevin Manning Laois County Council. Photo: Leinster Express

He believes Laois County Council is doing its bit but the Government should do more.

“We have all the right people in place now like biodiversity and climate change officers. That's a step in the right direction. Being involved in an event like this is huge too,” he said.

Cllr Walsh wants community groups to apply for a new round of climate adaptation grants on the way.

“I don't think the grants are high enough for private homes though, some have even reduced, it's still very expensive, I don't think we'll hit Irish targets at current grant levels,” he said.

Karen Moore has been the Laois County Council Community Climate Officer for over two years.

“When I started I wanted to help people see what action they could take, but a lot of them were doing it already. The Tidy towns are planning for biodiversity, the mens and womens sheds are doing repairs for communities, using scrap materials, turning waste to treasure. I've seen an increase in climate action in Laois.

“On a national and global scale Laois is unfortunately no different, not enough is being done but we have to keep bridging that gap, we have to keep working towards those targets,” Karen said.

“I'm looking forward to launching the next fund in October and getting more community groups doing climate projects in Laois”.

She was viewing an ideas map by artist Eimear McNally (below), visualising suggestions for a project by Climate House Ireland, for an educational nature 'regenerative park' to be built in Laois or Offaly

Graphic Recorder Eimear McNally and Karen Moore Laois Community Climate Action Officer.

It is one of a trio of projects to support former peat harvesting communities, in a collaboration by Bord na Móna and Erinn Innovation. They are also planning to replant bogs with three million sphagnum moss plants by 2027 across 22 bogs. 

Darina Allen was there to speak on a panel about food security, along with fellow Laois native and RTÉ gardening presenter Kitty Scully.

The food security discussion panel on stage at the Climate Cocktail Carnival in Ballintubbert House. Photo: Annie Holland

“We are sleepwalking into a disaster really, and sleepwalking into a very serious problem with processed food as well. Such a high percentage of Irish people's budget is going on ultra processed food which impacts the health of the nation, and everything is connected to climate in the end,” Darina told the Leinster Express.

“This event is going to grow legs for sure, this is a taste of it. There were incredibly inspirational speakers, it was just frustrating not to be able to hear everybody. I've learned so much on what we can do in our own small space,” she said.

Portlaoise regenerative farmer Brendan Guinan owns the Fíor Bhia farm in Ballyfin which produces free range meat from animals that wander freely through woodlands.

Sam Fuller, 3LM Savory Institute, Anne Maher Urban Co-op and Portlaoise organic farmer Brendan Guinan of Fíor Bhia farm, Laois.

“I wasn't speaking at this, but I was asking awkward questions, on food, on finance. Regenerative farming can solve a lot of the problems, reducing chemicals, getting local food to customers. I'm meeting really cool people here and that's the value of bringing this together,” he said.

Hector Ó hÉochagáin held the final debate on climate with Dr Shine, CEO of Change by Degrees, and Blindboy.

PICTURES: Huge attendance at Climate Carnival at Ballintubbert House Laois

“It's a pleasure to be here in this magical place. You can say you were at the Climate Cocktail when it was cool. There's something beautiful about Stradbally, this forested land of trees rising out of the ground,” he said.

Blindboy spoke passionately, saying “landed gentry lawns are not a good thing. It's about getting Irish people to care about biodiversity. A lot don't give a s**t. It's Cromwell who got rid of our wolves. I thought of a phrase we can use - tiocfaidh ár lawns. We have to find a way,” he said.

Read also: Month long Laois Climate Festival this October

The Laois Climate Carnival is one of many events curated by the Climate Cocktail Club, formed in 2018 to inspire impactled community-driven events bringing together thousands of business and impact changemakers, across Ireland, UK, US,
Europe and globally.