Ecoeye inspired by Tipperary's community energy scheme

- Duncan Stewart sees groundswell build in face of "massive change”

RTE’s Ecoeye on Feb 4^th showcased the work of an unique LCDP-supported community energy project in North Tipperary.

Reflecting afterwards on this and a project he visited on Inis Mor, presenter Duncan Stewart said, “I believe we’re on the cusp of a massive change… it’s slow but it’s coming."

All credit to the people in Drombane and Upperchurch in Tipperary, as well as North Tipperary Leader Partnership, for setting the example and showing how it can be done.

The programme is available to view for 3 weeks on the RTE Player.

RTE's Ecoeye visited Drumbane-Upperchurch to see how the Tipperary Energy Agency worked.
Their work featured in a broadcast on Feb 4, 2014.

Duncan is optimistic about communities showing resilience in the face of climate change: 

“Each community needs champions and a committed team. On Aran, it’s a co-operative; in Drumbane and Upperchurch, it was the local energy team. The idea of community energy is beginning to catch on.

Group insulation schemes can jumpstart your local economy!

Gearoid Fitzgibbon writes

Investing in home insulation and energy efficiency gives a better return than most other sorts of investments: it saves the householder money, it gives work to local contractors, it circulates money back into the local economy, and, from a national perspective, reduces our dependence on imported fossil fuels, and lowers our carbon emissions. 

It also counters fuel poverty, which affects 16 % of households (according to a 2001 survey), a figure that will have only increased since the recession.

 
Where once the case was made for such investment from a “green” perspective, it can now be proven from a purely financial point of view. Communities and community groups around the country are hungry for actions to boost the stagnant local economy.

Tipp parish targets energy waste to spur rural economy

North Tipperary Energy Presentation

By Allen Meagher
 

An energy audit by community volunteers and development workers has found that a parish in County Tipperary spent over €1million last year to heat and power its 400 households. 

Thirty homes in the area had no insulation whatsoever while others were poorly insulated and were difficult, not to mind expensive, to heat. Much of the housing stock in the area dates back to before 1920.

ONE OF OUR BEST FILMS YET: Claiming Our Future UPDATE!

'Changing Ireland' has produced a 5 minute film from the CLAIMING OUR FUTURE day in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary when nearly 40 people worked on ideas to make local authorities more inclusive of the demands of citizens. One councillor described the present set-up as "absolute bull." One of our best videos yet!

North Tipperary Leader Partnership supported the event in Nenagh under Goal 4 of the Local and Community Development Programme which aims to get people from local communities involved in decision-making that effects their lives.

For more info/background, see our earlier blog posting live from the event and prior to the day. You can read the Tipperary Star's report here.

YOUTH TRAINING IN CO. TIPPERARY - 1ST IN EUROPE (possibly)

This project, which targets young men and early-school leavers, is supported by the North Tipperary Leader Partnership which is part of Ireland's national Local and Community Development Programme.

LIVE-BLOGGING FROM CITIZENS' FORUM IN NENAGH

LATEST ALERT... EVENT ON FILM - HOW TO SET UP A CITIZENS' FORUM (CLICK HERE)

Live-blogging from the Civic Centre in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary today... It's the venue for a Citizens' Forum for making local Government better. Sounds like another talking shop - not so.

KIRBY & HARRIS TO STIR THE CITIZENRY IN PREMIER COUNTY

Peadar Kirby and Clodagh Harris - two experts on democracy from Limerick and Cork respectively - will be the guest speakers at a Citizens' Forum in Nenagh on Saturday, May 14th.

North Tipperary Leader Partnership is supporting the initiative which is one of a number of such events taking place around the country under the 'Claiming Our Future' banner.

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The forum which is being held in Nenagh Arts Centre from 1.45pm - 5pm.