About + Contact
We are a registered charity (RCN: 20206178) led by dedicated, skill-sharing volunteers. Our mission is to conserve Ireland’s natural and cultural heritage and to create an ecologically rich and diverse patchwork of native habitats across Ireland. Founded by Eoghan Connaughton, we achieved official charity status in 2022 and are proud to be listed in the Charities Register.
In 2024, we acquired 12 acres of land in County Mayo, which will be rewilded with native Irish trees following best practices to support biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. Through our meitheals (community workdays), we tackle invasive Cherry Laurel by turning it into biofuel as a sustainable alternative to peat, combining ecological restoration with innovative solutions. We also encourage the use of Gaeilge, weaving cultural heritage into our ecological mission.
Education and advocacy are central to our work. We deliver lectures on environmental issues affecting Ireland, produce educational content, and advocate for legislative changes to better protect our environment. Additionally, we are deeply committed to linking ecological conservation with cultural conservation. As an organisation with Gaeilgeoirí on our board of directors, we ensure that the Irish language has a vital place in all that we do.
We believe in the power of communities to drive change. Our meitheals aim to foster collaboration and unite people in the service of Irish ecology. Looking ahead, we hope to establish an outdoor learning hub where environmental passion can be turned into action, inspiring and empowering individuals to make a tangible difference.
These are links to appearances in different Media:
The board of the GWP is made up of volunteering professionals:
Eoghan Connaughton
Santiago Rial
Oisín Ó Néill
Our work would simply not be possible without the incredible dedication and passion of our supporters.
The Board of Directors is supported by a small team of experienced volunteers, helping as either a ‘Meitheal Officer’ (helping organise, run and keep safe our volunteers work days); ‘Admin Officer’ (assisting with day-to-day charity running tasks); or both.
But whether rolling up their sleeves during meitheals, contributing to fundraising efforts, or driving awareness campaigns, our volunteers are the heart and soul of everything we do. We are endlessly grateful for the ever-growing team of people who have stepped forward to make a difference—restoring Ireland’s ecology while forming lasting friendships and strengthening community bonds.
