About + Contact
We are a skill-sharing volunteering, reforestation charity founded with 3 main objectives:
● Community-based native woodlands creation and conservation
● Combating the spread and sale of invasive Cherry Laurel
● Combining the restoration of Irish culture and language with Irish ecology
Founded by Eoghan Connaughton in 2019, we achieved official charity status in 2022 and are proud to be listed in the Charities Register.
Being active since 2019, we have successfully advanced these 3 objectives:
● We’ve fundraised over €70k in 3 years, with which we purchased in 2024 a small farm in Co. Mayo to act as our first experience creating a native woodland. In 2025, it was planted with 9,000 native trees of Irish provenance, and has qualified to earn EU Forestry Premiums for the next 15 years and pay for itself.
● We have hosted monthly volunteer work-days during the summer season for the last 4 years averaging 30 people per day, actively removing invasive Cherry Laurel infestations and harvesting its wood for biofuel. Likewise, we are at the forefront of a legislation advocacy campaign to prohibit the sale of this terribly invasive plant: this has included the publication of yearly reports sent to TDs and awareness documents for the general public.
● We are the first environmental organisation invited to become an official branch of Conradh na Gaeilge; and under our “Craobh na Coille” subgroup are continually hosting events where the Irish language meets Irish ecology knowledge. Likewise, we have created high-quality audiovisual material that highlights the intertwining of Irish culture and environment.
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:
- “How exciting it is to be part of the green revival” – Article in BelfastMedia.com (2026)
- “Building a community-rooted charity” – Article in Irish Examiner (2026)
- “Ongoing battle against invasive Cherry Laurel” – Article in Irish Examiner (2025)
- Interview on Morning Ireland about Cherry Laurel Report (2025)
- Segment on RTÉ One’s Nationwide (2025)
- Meitheal video by Eoin Reardon (2025)
- Article on RTÉ (2023)
- Article on Extreme Hiking Fundraiser (2023)
- Radio Interview at Ryan Tubridy Show (2023)
- Article on Agriland (2022)
The board of the GWP is made up of volunteering professionals:
Eoghan Connaughton
Santiago Rial
Oisín Ó Néill
Fiachra Ó Cochláin
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.
