Sustainability

Here in Ballyboughal, our village proudly aligns its community planning and activities with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We’re committed to creating more accessible public spaces, enhancing green amenities, and ensuring our events are welcoming to all.

Initiatives

Our Goals

A lush garden bed with a variety of green plants and colorful flowers, bordered by a concrete railing, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

By blending heritage preservation with green spaces, community-led education, and local climate action, we’re helping transform our village into a sustainable, inclusive community—acting locally while advancing Ireland’s national SDG commitments

Intiatives

  • A wire trash can with a few empty plastic bottles at the bottom, seen through the opening of another wire trash can.

    Bottle Cage Recycling Initiative

    Bottle Cage Recycling Initiative: A custom-designed cage installed at Ballyboughal GAA grounds collects plastic bottles and cans for the national Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). Proceeds fund further sustainable projects.

    Composting & Mulching: Organic waste is composted on-site or off-site, shredded, and reused as mulch in planting beds across the village.

    Leaf Mould Cages: Twelve cages were installed for producing leaf mulch, reducing green waste and improving soil quality.

  • Watering can pouring water onto green plants in a garden.

    Water Conservation

    Rainwater Harvesting: Water butts are in use at several locations — the school, Pitch & Putt club, Herb Garden, The Square, and the Church — to reduce reliance on mains water.

    Timed River Watering System: A system using river water on a timer waters beds at Monument Park and bridge planters.

  • Flower bed with various plants and flowers, bordered by a weathered white wooden fence, along a sidewalk.

    Reuse & Upcycling

    Upcycled Planters & Materials: Old wooden planters are repaired and replanted. Decayed tree stumps are ground and reused as mulch.

    Reused Paint: Sourced from Ballymun Discovery Centre to reduce waste.

    Recycled Mypex: Reused as mulch by the Hedgerow Society after clearing beds.

  • Six children in high visibility vests kneel around two large flower pots filled with soil, planting a small plant. They are outdoors on a green lawn with a bush behind them and a building with potted plants, a wheelbarrow, and gardening tools in the background.

    Education & Awareness

    Mini Library: Hosts free book swaps and distributes seed packets to encourage reading and sustainable gardening.

    School Engagement: Projects include Picker Pals, seed sowing, window boxes, upcycling competitions, and the Green Schools Programme.

  • A yellow bug hotel with multiple compartments, surrounded by green foliage and pink flowers, next to a circular informational sign about the bug hotel.

    Pollinator & Biodiversity Support

    Pollinator Beds: Created throughout the village to attract bees and support biodiversity.

    Monument Park Conservation Zone: Dedicated area for native honey bees, plus sustainable features like bug hotels and pollinator-friendly planting.

  • A hanging basket with colorful flowers, including pink, red, purple, and white blooms, is attached to a white wall outside a house. In the background, a tree with reddish-brown leaves and a stone wall are visible.

    Circular Gardening & Plant Sharing

    Plant Swap Events: Hosts a spring plant exchange to promote sustainable gardening practices and community sharing.

    Seedlings & Propagation: Volunteers grow seedlings in personal greenhouses. Plans are underway for a dedicated polytunnel and greenhouse at the new community hub.

    Community Donations: Residents contribute excess plants, seeds, and shrubs from their own gardens.

  • A shuttle bus stopped at a bus stop in front of a large hedge, with people waiting to board or disembark.

    Sustainable Transport & Active Travel

    Rural Bus Service Advocacy: Ongoing collaboration with Transport for Ireland and Active Travel to improve rural bus links, install permanent bus stops, and add secure bike lockers.

    Trial of Walking Bus: Though not sustainable long-term, it highlights efforts to reduce car dependency for school children.