Enniscorthy DZ – Wexford

Each year the town of Enniscorthy steps into the spotlight with the Enniscorthy Climate Champions event, hosted by Wexford County Council in collaboration with the community-led network. Local residents, businesses, schools and civic groups are nominated and celebrated for their outstanding contributions to sustainability, energy-efficiency, biodiversity and shared climate action. Recent coverage in the Irish Times, the Wexford Weekly and on South East Radio highlights how the Ceremony unites the community under the umbrella of the Enniscorthy Decarbonising Zone, fosters innovative local practices and inspires more people

The Slaney Catchment project, supported by LAWPRO (the Local Authority Waters Programme) and Wexford County Council, has been an important platform for helping communities understand the health of the River Slaney and the wider water environment. Through public information evenings and community meetings, residents were invited to learn about local water-quality challenges, share their own observations, and explore opportunities for community-led action. These events—highlighted by Wexford PPN and local media—encouraged open dialogue between environmental experts, local groups, and the public. The sessions helped build awareness of issues such as pollution pressures, biodiversity impacts, and restoration opportunities, while empowering communities to participate in shaping future improvements for the Slaney catchment.

Two community/voluntary organisations were successful in securing funding through Phase 1 of the DECC Community Climate Action Programme.

Home – Enniscorthy Community Allotments, and Home – Reachability.

The fund is administered through Wexford County Council and supports projects and initiatives that facilitate climate action within local communities to build Low Carbon, Sustainable Communities.

The Energy Meitheal project engages local residents in renewable energy actions, such as solar PV installations, helping the community reduce emissions and embrace sustainable energy practices.

Find out more about Enniscorthy’s Energy Meitheal here.

The Town Air Project brings science, schools, and the wider Enniscorthy community together to better understand and improve local air quality. Supported by academic partners such as the University of Galway, the project uses air-quality monitoring stations around the town to track pollutants and help identify patterns linked to traffic, heating, and seasonal changes. Local schools, including Enniscorthy Community College, have taken part in awareness workshops and air-pollution talks, helping students become active “air stewards” for their community. The project aims to build a clearer picture of Enniscorthy’s air quality and empower residents with the knowledge needed to support cleaner, healthier air for the town.

Using Enniscorthy as a testbed, this joint project with UCD and Trinity College seeks to demonstrate how shared mobility solutions—such as shared electric vehicles and low-carbon transport initiatives—can help reduce carbon emissions while simultaneously reconnecting communities and addressing the issue of social isolation. Find out more about the project here.

Conundrum has produced a video explaining the project which you can see at this link

The High Performance Building Alliance (HPBA) located in the Enniscorthy Decarbonisation Zone is a Centre of Excellence dedicated to reducing the effects of climate change by improving the built environment. 

Homes in Enniscorthy could benefit from surplus renewable electricity to heat their water cylinders for free under a pilot initiative being rolled out by Energy Cloud, a new social enterprise supported by Eirgrid, energy suppliers and Wexford County Council.

The free electricity that is effectively dumped at night-time when electricity demand falls, and wind turbines are turned off, should instead be used to alleviate fuel poverty.

Energy Cloud and Wexford County Council are working together to identify houses in the Enniscorthy Area to trial this project.

Recognising the unique opportunities of the Enniscorthy Castle, St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Vinegar Hill, the Athenaeum, the River Slaney, and many other sites, this plan sets out a vision and action plan to ensure Enniscorthy values its unique heritage, showcasing it with pride and ambition to pass on to future generations.

Enniscorthy is contributing to the nationwide 100 Million Trees initiative, planting native trees throughout the area to enhance biodiversity, green infrastructure, and carbon capture.

Jacinta Barrins, retired UN Diplomat, brings her Over 55s Climate Chats to Enniscorthy starting in February 2026. This free six-week course helps participants to understand the issues around climate change and what they can do about it.