People’s Transition Carndonagh: Taking climate actions that benefit everyone

Green training, promoting sustainable approaches to food, and encouraging more engagement and awareness of rivers, are top of the agenda for the people of Carndonagh, according to a new environmental report launched recently.

The ‘People’s Transition Carndonagh’ project, which was led by TASC, Inishowen Development Partnership [IDP] and ECO Carn, ran from June 2024 to August 2025 and consisted of three stages: mapping, community engagement, and action-planning.

The 15-month-long project embraced a participatory decision-making model that positioned climate action as a driver of local development, whilst also empowering residents to shape a sustainable future for their town.

The final report of the project, which was launched at Barrack Hill Town Park last month, heard that the three main actions which people identified were:

Green Skills Training and Apprenticeships: Focused on retrofitting, horticulture, and ecology, linked to local job creation.

Edible Public Spaces: Transforming common areas into community food-growing sites connected by a town-wide trail.

River Heritage Education: Raising awareness of the Donagh and Glenagannon Rivers’ environmental and cultural significance.

Other areas, which were highlighted in the report, were the need for sustainable transport options, the challenges around the defective concrete blocks crisis in the area, and a carbon-free Carn.

The launch at the new outdoor leaning space, The Daisy, heard from Deridre Carolan, Climate Justice Researcher at TASC, who spoke on the feedback from the community.

“The project set out to listen to and learn from the community and then attempt to co-design a number of climate actions that would benefit Carndonagh,” explained Deridre.

“The actions build on opportunities currently existing in Carndonagh and seek to address the needs of the community. They seek to ensure that climate action provides tangible benefits, highlighting the positives of a just transition."

The morning event featured actions happening on the day in the park, such as some edible planting led by the Barrack Hill Town Park Community Gardens team and hearing about the ongoing work from members of the ECO Carn network.

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Suzanne Brogan, Climate Action Officer with Donegal County Council, presented the Council’s Climate Action Plan and the Carndonagh Decarbonising Zone.

She spoke about how beneficial it was to work together in developing The People’s Transition Plan for Carndonagh and developing the climate actions for the Decarbonising Zone, and how both pieces complemented each other.

However, the standout moment came from local primary school student Cara O’Donnell (pictured below), who passionately shared her vision for a food trail in Barrack Hill Park.

“Right now, you can walk through Barrack Hill, and you can see apple trees. But imagine, seeing mint leaves, rosemary, chives, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, free for anyone to pick and enjoy,” said Cara.

“Fresh food is good for our bodies, better for the environment, and it’s even better when it’s free. And there’s something magical about eating food you have picked. It tastes fresher, sweeter, and more special because you know it came from your own community.”

Denise McCool, Team Lead with IDP, said the People’s Transition Carndonagh demonstrates how inclusive climate action can address local needs while building resilience and opportunity. She praised the community’s leadership and vision.

“This project shows that while many impacts of climate need national approaches and support, and it's not easy, we can address them. It shows what’s possible when communities come together to make change, think outside the box, act now, and take the lead,” said Denise.

“The people of Carndonagh have shown that climate action can be rooted in local responses, creativity, and care for one another. We’re proud to support these efforts and look forward to seeing these ideas grow into actions. Already, initiatives are underway by those involved, and there is room for others to be part of it and make a difference.”

Find out more about ECO Carn and the groups involved by contacting Denise or Rachel at IDP, and they will connect you to the organisations and people leading out on the projects.