Carlow County Council celebrates 'empowering' finale of Embracing Change Programme

Carlow County Council has reaffirmed its commitment to community wellbeing, sustainability and positive lifestyle change through the Embracing Change programme. This is an energetic series of events designed to bring people together and inspire simple, meaningful shifts in everyday life. 

Delivered by the Council’s Environment and Community Departments, in partnership with Healthy Carlow and a wide network of local agencies, the initiative continues to flourish as a powerful platform for learning, connection and empowerment. 

The final event in the current series took place on March 24 at Ballykealey House Hotel, where attendees gathered to explore the deep connection between food, health and community. Guests were welcomed into a vibrant marketplace of local food producers, community gardens, NGOs and agencies, each showcasing the wealth of seasonal produce and community-led food projects thriving across Carlow. 

A lively panel discussion on Food Waste, led by Climate Action Coordinator Jannette O’Brien, set the stage for an engaging and insightful evening. She was joined by an expert panel including chef and food educator Derek Oman, Mikael Galvez of Gaelic Fungi Farms, Paula Leyden of The Goodly Barrow and Ciara Stanley of Coppenagh Farm, who all shared practical advice on sustainability, creative cooking and reducing waste in everyday life. 

Keynote speaker Lorraine Demetriou, of Thrive with Lorraine, captivated the audience with an inspiring exploration of gut health and its influence on mood, energy, mental wellbeing and long-term vitality. Her message - that food is both nourishment and a cornerstone of whole-body wellbeing - resonated strongly with attendees. 

READ NEXT: Major blow for Carlow people as 'vital' bus route to Dublin Airport set to be scrapped

The event also marked the launch of Carlow County Council’s new ‘Saved & Savoured’ food-waste recipe book, featuring accessible, budget-friendly recipes contributed by some of the county’s best-known local chefs. Designed to help households cut waste, save money and enjoy seasonal meals with ease, the book was met with great enthusiasm with many attendees saying they couldn’t wait to recreate the simple but delicious recipes in their own kitchens. 

Adding her perspective on the value of the programme, Dee Sewell, Environmental Awareness Officer with Carlow County Council, said: “The Embracing Change programme shows the incredible power of community-led action. When people come together to share ideas, learn from one another, and celebrate local produce, real environmental change becomes achievable. Events like this help us build a culture of sustainability in Carlow- one small step, one shared meal and one positive habit at a time.” 

Closing the event on a flavourful high, Ballykealey House Chef Wiktoria Boratyn delivered a live cookery demonstration, transforming often-overlooked ingredients into delicious, low-waste dishes. Guests enjoyed an abundance of mouth-watering samples that highlighted just how simple and satisfying sustainable cooking can be. 

This inspiring finale builds on the success of two earlier Embracing Change events: 

• November 2025 – Confidence Never Goes Out of Style at the Step House Hotel, Borris, highlighted circular fashion with a Clothes Swap, a nutrition and menopause session as well as an Eco Chic Fashion Workshop. 
• April 2025 – Wellbeing and Cultural Connection Day at Duckett’s Grove featured menopause health information, grow-your-own workshops, zero-waste cookery demonstrations, sustainable planting, African storytelling and dance, along with movement and Pilates sessions. 

Across all three events, the Embracing Change programme has stayed true to its mission: enhancing physical and mental wellbeing, promoting sustainable lifestyle choices, empowering individuals, especially women and those who support them, and strengthening community bonds through learning, participation, and connection. 

Cllr Ken Murnane, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, spoke on the importance of supporting community-led wellbeing and sustainability initiatives: “Embracing Change is about empowering people and communities to make healthier, more sustainable choices, and tonight’s event reflects that spirit perfectly. The enthusiasm we’ve seen across all three events shows that the people of County Carlow are ready to lead the way in building a more resilient, connected, and environmentally conscious county. I’m proud of the work being done and excited to see this momentum continue.” 

For those eager to sample the book’s nutritious and flavourful recipes, ‘Saved & Savoured’ is now accessible to borrow in all of County Carlow’s libraries, as well as online through the National Library BorrowBox service. 

BorrowBox is a free app and website that lets you borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks from your local library using your library card. 

Follow Carlow County Council on social media and visit www.carlow.ie to stay updated on future events and initiatives.