Tipperary eco village has made the long list of Ireland's Greenest Places 2025

Cloughjordan Ecovillage in Tipperary has made the longlist of Ireland’s Greenest Places 2025 and as a result is a contender to win the title Ireland’s Greenest Village 2025 and potentially the overall title.

The pioneering village was among over 120 places put forward by members of the public and one of 5 Tipperary projects or places nominated.

Only 5 villages in total made the long list and as a result Cloughjordan will be battling it out with two Clare villages, Inagh and Quin along with Louisburgh in Co. Mayo and Castlegregory / Maharees in Co Kerry for the title of Greenest Village.

The longlist also includes 3 suburbs, 5 villages and 13 communities. Mayo and Dublin lead the way with a total of six nominations across the four different categories, with Kerry next on 3. Clare has two with nine other counties, including Tipp on one.

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‘Ireland’s Greenest Places 2025’, an initiative, which is being run by The Irish Times in association with Electric Ireland, began in late May when members of the public were invited to nominate a special place or project which they believe contributes to a genuinely greener environment.

The Chair of the Judging Panel, Irish Times Features Editor Mary Minihan said they had been hugely impressed by the quality and diversity of the environmental projects being undertaken around the country.

“It was extremely difficult for us to come up with the long list and we spent many hours reviewing and debating the entries. But that is a real compliment to the excellent quality of the work being done in the projects and the places which were nominated. So congratulations to the 26 projects who made it on the long list but also to everyone who entered and is doing such valuable work.”

“Each place was judged on specific criteria including its beneficial environmental impact, level of ongoing collective engagement by the community and evidence of behavioural change by people. What was really pleasing to see is that the greening of so many places across Ireland has flipped from the cosmetic to delivering substantial environmental dividends.”

Cloughjordan Ecovillage, which comprises 55 households on its 67 acre-site, has a high profile, due to the breadth of its green actions. But its pioneering role in meeting the challenges of becoming the village with the lowest ecological footprint in Ireland makes it exceptional.

“It’s an impressive set-up with everything a small village needs, all provided sustainably,” says local Elizabeth O’Shea. “Environmentally careful horticulture and forestry has led to remarkable biodiversity.”

Then there is the car sharing; meitheals, a wood-fired district heating system, events, arts programmes and connection to the well-provisioned main village of Cloughjordan. “People don’t need to drive for miles to get what they need, which reduces fuel consumption and carbon footprints” Elizabeth adds.

The panel of five judges includes Eamon Ryan, former leader of the Green Party, who said Ireland’s Greenest Places shows how much community-led- environmentalism has deepened and spread in recent years.

“At a time when people are anxious about climate change and biodiversity loss, it helps to think global but act local. The long-listed entries show the variety of what is taking place around Ireland. People in every community seem to be looking to see what they can do by promoting pollinators, planting trees or establishing sustainable energy or transport solutions”.

“Gone are the arguments that local people shouldn’t be doing these things because it is the State’s responsibility. Everyone can now see the returns that can come when you work from the bottom up as well as the top down.”

The shortlist for Ireland’s Greenest Places 2025 will be announced at the end of the month with the category winners and overall winner announced a fortnight later.

Ireland’s Greenest Places 2025 – The Long List

Ireland’s Greenest Suburb (3)

Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin

Cabra, Dublin

Harper’s Island, Cork Harbour

Ireland’s Greenest Village (5)

Louisburgh, Co Mayo

Castlegregory/Maharees, Co Kerry

Inagh, Co Clare

Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Co Tipperary

Quin, Co Clare

Ireland’s Greenest Town (5)

Skerries, Co Dublin

Killarney, Co Kerry

Ballina, Co Mayo

Abbeyleix, Co Laois

Kiltimagh, Co Mayo

Ireland’s Greenest Community (13)

Rathcroghan, Co Roscommon

Derrybeg Farm, Celbridge, Co Kildare

Gaelscoil Raifteirí, Co Mayo

Charlemont Deck Culture Garden, Dublin

Dysart River Project, Co Westmeath

Waterford Trees for Life, Co Waterford

The Three Sisters Gardening Community Group, Belfast, County Antrim

Taplin’s Fields (Bridgefoot Street Park Community Garden), Dublin

Coolmine Lodge, Dublin

The Dingle Peninsula, Co Kerry

Inishturk Island, Co Mayo

Fahburren Forest, Co Mayo

Ambrosetown Cemetery, Co Wexford

For more information about ‘Ireland’s Greenest Places’ go to www.irishtimes.com/greenestplaces