What We Learned: Takeaways from Our Wicklow Regional Networking Event
On 30 April 2025, we gathered with tourism and hospitality businesses at the breathtaking Beyond the Trees, Avondale – the first age friendly attraction award recipient – for a morning of meaningful conversation, inspiring ideas and a shared commitment to sustainability.
From treetop views to grounded local insights, the event was packed with powerful reminders about how we – as a community, as businesses and as individuals – can step into a more sustainable future. Here are some of our favourite takeaways from the day:
🌍 1. Rethink What ‘Progress’ Means
Niall Davis of Biking.ie challenged us to question what we consider ‘normal’ or ‘necessary’ when it comes to development and infrastructure. Using the example of a motorway, he encouraged us to ask: is this really the best step forward for society in the long run? True progress might mean protecting green spaces instead of paving them.
🌿 2. Believe In A Better Future — And Build It Together
Lorna Kelly from Wicklow Uplands Council reminded us that sustainability starts with vision – a belief that we can leave something better behind. But vision alone isn’t enough: we need to live it, and bring others with us through collaboration and conversation – even if there are sometimes conflicting opinions in the room.
🔥 3. Climate Action Can Be An Opportunity
Jim Callery from Wicklow County Council didn’t sugarcoat it: climate change is here and so is the biodiversity crisis. But instead of fear, he pointed us toward action – and opportunity. Wicklow is already turning the climate and biodiversity challenges into creative solutions, like the emerging ‘Vision for Venison’ initiative.
🦌 4. Turning A Problem Into A Local Asset
As Anne Pears of Veon explained, deer are one of the biggest costs and threats to Ireland’s reforestation – over 70,000 were culled by licence last year. But with the ‘Vision for Venison’, Wicklow has the chance to transform this challenge into a sustainable food and tourism opportunity, putting the county on the map for high-quality, local venison.
♻️ 5. Feed The Soil, Not The Landfill
One of the most grounded ideas of the morning (pun intended) focused on the fact that what we take from the land should go back into it. From composting to supporting pollinators, there’s huge potential to nurture the earth by managing waste wisely.
💸 6. Sustainability Can Save Money As Well As The Environment
Going green doesn’t just feel good – it can make good business sense. Biking.ie saved €10,000 a year by ditching single-use coffee cups – not to mention cutting down on waste disposal costs. Niall also shared with us how a change from cable ties to hemp ties for their mountain biking events saved about 40,000 cable ties. Now there’s a small but tangible win for the planet.
🤝 7. Think Local, Act Together
From investing 10c per coffee into community projects, to forming unexpected partnerships, we were reminded again and again that real impact starts with people. Talk to your peers, collaborate with other businesses and keep the conversation going.
We left the morning energised, inspired and reminded that sustainability isn’t a solo journey – it’s something we build together – one conversation, one idea, and one bold step at a time.
Did you miss the event? You can see what it was like here. Stay tuned for the next regional meet-up in the autumn! Updates can be found here. For now, register your interest for our (totally) Inspiring Sustainable Tourism Conference on the 22 January 2026 at Killeavy Castle Estate, kindly supported by Newry, Mourne & Down District Council.
