Climate Action Week 2025

National Climate Action Week took place from October 13th to 19th, 2025. This initiative, coordinated by An Taisce’s Climate Action Team on behalf of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, aims to showcase and strengthen our collective efforts on climate action.

With support from Mayo County Council, the Ballyhaunis Community Council hosted Climate Conversations on Friday, Oct 17th, 8pm in the Community Hall.

The cost of heating the Community Hall has fallen dramatically according to figures presented. Hall management spent EUR4,500 on electricity in 2024, a figure that includes the running of the heat pump heating system which warms the building 24-7 for the colder six months of the year.

“Our building is kept to a constant, comfortable warmth all day long throughout the winter months which means the building is constantly ready and comfortable for use,” explained Mark Godfrey, chairperson of Ballyhaunis Community Council, which runs the building. “To achieve the same level of warmth and comfort we’d have spent approximately EUR12,000 on kerosene,” he told the event.

The Community Council expects the electricity bill for 2025 and 2026 to fall sharply thanks to the installation of 60 solar panels on the roof of the hall earlier this year. “There is a very clear economic rationale for renewable energy provided the building is well insulated,” said Godfrey. “Our installation of external insulation and a heat pump at the hall has brought very significant savings in energy spending -and emissions," he added.

Several householders who spoke at the event highlighted the dramatic savings in electricity and motoring costs they’re experiencing through the use of solar panels. Local householder Pat Higgins who charges his electric car at home said his motoring costs are a quarter of the equivalent per-kilometre cost of a similar-sized petrol fuelled car thanks to the installation of solar panels on his roof. A similar experience was related by local farmer Timmy Rabbitte.

Thanks very much to Brendan Golden, Connaught regional chair of the Irish Farmers Association for a detailed presentation on the efforts of farmers to reduce emissions and the challenges they face in doing so.

We also had a fascinating insight from local vegetable producer Sebastian Dmilanowski of Mannin Lake Farm in Larganboy on the challenges and opportunities in producing low-carbon, organic food locally.

Cllr. Alma Gallagher spoke on the grants available for various actions to make your home more energy efficient, including grants for insulation and heat pumps.

We would be very happy to share knowledge from our experience with anyone seeking information on renewable energy and energy efficiency. Please get in touch!