Clare libraries host events to mark Sustainable Development Goal Week

CLARE County Council is supporting Sustainable Development Goal Week by hosting a series of events around the county as SDG Champions.

The Sustainable Development Goals were adopted in September 2015 at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit by 193 world leaders. They consist of 17 Goals that are the blueprint for the future, for people, and for the planet, and have the power to address the global challenges we face.

In support of the goals, SDG Champion, Clare County Council are hosting a second SDG week which continues until next Tuesday, October 3.

This forms part of the wider National and European Sustainable Development Week (ESDW), which runs from Monday 18th September to Sunday 8th October 2023. Last year, ESDW saw over 7,000 activities taking place across 24 countries, with over 100 events taking place in Ireland.

The following events are scheduled to take place across the county at Clare Libraries and Áras Conate an Chláir, with the support of Creative Ireland funding:

Ennis Library

Sustainable Gardening with Lynn O'Keeffe Lascar, Head Gardener at  Portumna Castle Gardens
Tuesday, October 3 – 6.30pm to 7.30pm 

Kilkee Library

Energy Savings in the Home with Climate Action Officer Chris Dixon O’Mara
Thursday, September 28 – 2.30pm to 3.30pm

Shannon Library (in association with Clare Garden Festival)

Sustainable Gardening with Jim McNamara, Organic Mentor
Tuesday, October 3 – 6.30pm to 7.30pm

Scariff Library

Film screening of The Outsider – The Story of Del Harding
Thursday, September 21 – 6.30pm to 8.00pm

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Cllr Joe Cooney, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, said: “I am delighted to see Clare County Council once again taking a leading role in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals and highlighting the importance of these 17 Goals across the county, not just during SDG Week, but all year round through their SDG Champion status.”

Pat Dowling, Chief Executive, Clare County Council, added: “I would like to see everyone in Clare take SDG week 2023 as an opportunity to learn more about the SDGs and how to build them into our daily lives. I would also like to thank the team at Clare Libraries who are providing a platform for upskilling for the Goals.”

Helen Walsh, County Librarian, said: “We are delighted to include these free workshops and talks as part of our regular library programmes and services.  Libraries empower communities by providing free access to a wide range of information and resources that align with many of the SDG goals.”

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Karen Foley, Environmental Awareness Officer, Clare County Council, continued: “As an SDG Champion, it is not only our role to help raise awareness of the goals but to align these goals to plans and projects. Through plans like the Local Economic and Community Plan and the Climate Action Plan, we as a Local Authority will be demonstrating to the wider community across Clare how the SDGs can be supported with initiatives and projects in practical ways.”

Dena McGrath, Healthy Clare Co-Ordinator, added: “I am very proud to be involved in Clare’s second SDG Week, as the SDGs are critical to the Healthy Ireland agenda. SDG 17 is ‘Partnership for the Goals’ and I am encouraged by the existing amount of collaboration happening across Clare in particular, around Goal 3, ‘Good Health and Wellbeing’.  I look forward to attending some of the events and encourage everyone to partake in the many Clare Libraries events taking place all year round.”

For more information, visit the dedicated webpage.