The Sperrins: Mining, Power & Community in Northern Ireland

#No.16 Hope is a Luxury, Resistance is Intergenerational – Gerry McGovern Speaks Out

What happens when the drive for endless growth leaves nothing but waste behind? Gerry McGovern, author of the After the Goldrush podcast , joins me to explore how mining — and the mindset that fuels it — mirrors the same destructive patterns we see in the digital world.
Our conversation looks at what it means for communities like ours in the Sperrins to stand against extraction, and how waste is never an accident but the direct outcome of a system built on taking without giving back. Gerry’s clarity cuts through the spin, reminding us that resistance is both urgent and intergenerational — carried by parents, children and grandparents together.
📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story
#dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining 
#EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast
#ActivismPodcast
#IrishPodcast
#HumanRights
 
 LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW 
Gerry Mc Governs Website -https://gerrymcgovern.com/
After the Goldrush Podcast -https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169
 
SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media) 
https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins
 
LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES 
http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/
Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction.
https://yestolifenotomining.org/
The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169
Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block.
This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this
 
LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine ) 
 
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about
 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc
 

#No. 15 Sinéad Ní Mhearnóg : Language, Community and Courage

In this episode I speak with Sinéad Ní Mhearnóg Uí Ghéibheannaigh, a young mother, poet, and advocate for the Irish language from ConyGlen near Greencastle. Sinéad works with Glór na nGael, supporting communities to keep the language alive, and has long been a passionate voice in the Save Our Sperrins campaign.
We talk about her roots in the Sperrins, the role of language in shaping identity, and how culture and community sustain resilience. Sinéad reflects on her poetry, her hopes for her children, and her fears for what mining could do to the fabric of her community.
She also recalls a pivotal moment in 2018, when she travelled to Toronto to attend the PDAC mining conference and spoke out against Dalradian’s plans for a goldmine in the Sperrins — a moment of truth-telling that sent ripples far beyond Greencastle.
This is a conversation about language, courage, and the power of ordinary communities to hold the line.
📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story
#dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining 
#EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast
#ActivismPodcast
#IrishPodcast
#HumanRights
 
 
LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW 
https://www.glornangael.ie/teangati/  Sinéads work 
https://www.facebook.com/Greencastleourhistory  A page about the history of Greencastle and Munterloney 
The most comprehensive record of Irish speakers in the Sperrins and where you can find further info: 'CAINNTEOIRÍ DÚTHCHAIS AGUS FOINSÍ BÉALOIDIS GAEDHILGE AS OIRTHEAR ULADH Ciarán Ó Duibhín: an leagan seo: 2024/09/20' : https://www3.smo.uhi.ac.uk/oduibhin/cainnteoir/speirini.txt
Recording of native speaker John Carolan, Fidelma O'Kane's Uncle speaking Irish: https://www.rte.ie/archives/exhibitions/1981-proinsias-o-conluain/615512-na-cainteoir-dhuchs-deireannacha-i-gco-thr-eoghain/
Recordings of native speakers: https://www.doegen.ie/taxonomy/term/22079
Information on Jane Nic Ruaidhrí, one of the last native speakers who was recorded in the Doegen project above: https://www3.smo.uhi.ac.uk/oduibhin/doegen/nicruaidhri_biog.htm
Recording of Irish Speaker Johnny Bán Mac Giolla Uidhir, who is meant to be the last know Irish speaker and who only died in the 1970's:https://www.rte.ie/archives/collections/news/11418227-gaeltacht-th-r-eoghain-ag-foghlaim-na-gaeilge/
Recordings of native speakers, Peter Bradley and Ellen Mary Devlin: https://www.rte.ie/archives/collections/acetate-disc-collection/11410140-gaeltacht-thr-eoghain-ellen-mary-devlin/
Recordings of the native speakers, Paddy Láidir: Padaí Láidir Mac Culadh agus Gaeltacht Thír Eoghain - Taifeadtaí Gaeilge Thír Eoghain:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odBT6eNyLis 
Landscapes of hunting and assembly in the north of Ireland—three case-studies, Academic essay which looks at Coneyglen - Dún Ruadh:https://www.jstor.org/stable/27074874
Commemorative stone at Rouskey and its unveiling by Monsignor Devlin: https://scealtanuamhuintirluinigh.wordpress.com/tag/muintir-luinigh/
VIDEO: Guth in Eag? A lost voice - insight into the decline of Tyrone Native Gaeilge, the last generation of speakers living in the isolation of small hill farms and glens. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5cvPskVm3Y
VIDEO: Ar Scáth na Sléibhte, Cormac examines the rich Irish language heritage of the Muintir Luinigh area: https://www.tg4.ie/en/player/online-boxsets/play/?pid=6259592045001&title=Sl%C3%A9ibhte%20Mhuintir%20Luinigh&series=Ar%20Sc%C3%A1th%20na%20Sl%C3%A9ibhte  
Traidisiún Amhránaíocht na Gaeilge i dTír Eoghain san Fhichiú hAois: https://pure.ulster.ac.uk/en/publications/traidisi%C3%BAn-amhr%C3%A1na%C3%ADocht-na-gaeilge-i-dt%C3%ADr-eoghain-san-fhichi%C3%BA-hao-2 
Publications about Gaeltacht Mhuintir Luinigh, many are out of print but worth buying second hand if you find a copy:
In Irish: Padaí Láidir Mac Culadh agus Gaeltacht Thír Eoghain, Pádraig Ó Baoighill
In English: Tyrone Folk Quest, Michael J Murphy
Correction : In the introduction I mentioned that Gaeltacht Mhuintir Luinigh was the last Irish-speaking area in Ulster. Of course, I should have said that it was the last Irish-speaking area in what is now Northern Ireland, as Donegal — also part of Ulster — still has a vibrant Gaeltacht community today.
 
The poem Sinéad read out on the podcast . 
Faoiseamh a GheobhadsaLe Máirtín Ó Díreáin
 
Faoiseamh a gheobhadsaSeal beag gairidI measc mo dhaoineAr oileán mara,Ag siúl cois cladaighMaidin is tráthnónaÓ Luan go SatharnThiar ag baileFaoiseamh a gheobhadsaSeal beag gairidI measc mo dhaoineÓ chrá chroí,Ó bhuairt aigne,Ó uaigneas dhuaircÓ chaint ghontachThiar ag baile
I would find peaceFor a short whileAmongst my peopleOn an island in the seaWalking on the beachFrom morning to eveningFrom Monday to SaturdayAt home in the WestI would find peaceFor a short whileAmongst my peopleFree from heartacheFrom miserable lonelinessFrom hurtful talkAt home in the west.
 
SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media) 
https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins
 
LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES 
http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/
Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction.
https://yestolifenotomining.org/
The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169
Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block.
This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this
 
LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine ) 
 
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about
 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc

#No.14 Law, Land, and Justice: Dr Amy Strecker on the Sperrins

In this episode, I speak with Dr Amy Strecker, Associate Professor at the Sutherland School of Law in UCD and one of the volunteer expert witnesses supporting the Public Inquiry into goldmining in the Sperrins.
Amy brings her expertise in land law, justice, and cultural landscapes, helping us understand how law can both protect and endanger communities and the places they call home. She speaks about the Sperrins in the wider European and global frame, the clash between cultural heritage and extractive industries, and what a fairer vision of land justice could look like.
We are hugely grateful for Amy’s time, intellect, and generosity in supporting the campaign, and for the clarity she brings to this vital struggle.
 
📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story
#dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining
#EnvironmentPodcast
#JusticePodcast
#ActivismPodcast
#IrishPodcast
#HumanRights
 
LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW with Dr. Amy Strecker
(books mentioned in the podcast ) 
https://academic.oup.com/book/11066
 
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-31994-5
 
SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media) 
https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins
 
LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES 
http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/
Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction.
https://yestolifenotomining.org/
The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169
Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block.
This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this
 
LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine ) 
 
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about
 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc

#No.13 Council Stands with the People, Not Dalradian

This update brings you inside the Council chamber as Fermanagh and Omagh District Council refused Dalradian’s latest attempts to delay site restoration until 2025. From explosive claims that their works are “miniscule” to councillors openly admitting unfamiliarity with the site, it was a meeting that laid bare the contradictions and the politics around mining in the Sperrins. Tune in to hear what happened, why it matters, and what comes next. 
📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story
#dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining 
#EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast
#ActivismPodcast
#IrishPodcast
#HumanRights
 
 LINKS FOR THIS PODCAST 
Watch the council meeting here : https://youtu.be/6eVkPU24iI8
 
SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media) 
https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins
 
LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES 
http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/
Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction.
https://yestolifenotomining.org/
The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169
Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block.
This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this
 
LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine ) 
 
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about
 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc
 

#No.12 Dancing with the Earth: Mary McGuiggan on Rights of Nature and Connection

In this episode, I sit down with Mary McGuiggan — A Derry woman, retired primary school teacher, renowned Irish dancer and dance teacher, activist, mother, grandmother, and  Gaelic speaker are just some of her many talents .
Mary has been at the heart of building the Rights of Nature campaign in Northern Ireland and is one of the founders of The Gathering, which brings activists together from across Ireland to share struggles, strengthen connections, and support one another.
We talk about what inspired her to this work, how The Gathering has become a space for solidarity and creativity, and why international links — from CELDF in the United States to the Atrato River Guardians in Colombia — matter here at home.
Mary speaks with joy, wisdom, and humour, reminding us that defending the earth is not just resistance but also culture, music, dance, and powerful relationships.
Listen in as we explore the roots of Rights of Nature, the resilience of communities across Ireland, and the vision of a future where the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil we grow from are honoured and protected.
 
In this episode, I sit down with Mary McGuiggan — A Derry woman, retired primary school teacher, renowned Irish dancer and dance teacher, activist, mother, grandmother, and  Gaelic speaker are just some of her many talents .
Mary has been at the heart of building the Rights of Nature campaign in Northern Ireland and is one of the founders of The Gathering, which brings activists together from across Ireland to share struggles, strengthen connections, and support one another.
We talk about what inspired her to this work, how The Gathering has become a space for solidarity and creativity, and why international links — from CELDF in the United States to the Atrato River Guardians in Colombia — matter here at home.
Mary speaks with joy, wisdom, and humour, reminding us that defending the earth is not just resistance but also culture, music, dance, and powerful relationships.
Listen in as we explore the roots of Rights of Nature, the resilience of communities across Ireland, and the vision of a future where the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil we grow from are honoured and protected.
📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story
#dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining 
#EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast
#ActivismPodcast
#IrishPodcast
#HumanRights
 
LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW with Mary McGuiggan 
On the Zero Waste North West website you can find the link to the monthly meetings for the Gathering 
https://zerowastenw.org/projects/the-gathering/
and the Community Environment Legal Defence Found
committed to nature dedicated to community 
SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media) 
https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins
 
LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES 
http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/
Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction.
https://yestolifenotomining.org/
The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169
Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block.
This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this
 
LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine ) 
 
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about
 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc

#No.11 Hard-Earned Wisdom from Navan: A Conversation with Nuala and Mairéad Heaney

What is it really like to live beside a mine? In this episode of the Save Our Sperrins Podcast – Voices from the Frontline, we hear from sisters Nuala and Mairéad Heaney of Navan, County Meath. Their family home sits in the shadow of the Randalstown tailings dam — a toxic reservoir that has grown stage by stage since the late 1970s.
For communities across Ireland facing the threat of new prospecting licences and goldmining projects, their story is both warning and wisdom. Nuala, once secretary of Residents Against Tailings Extension (RATE), reflects on years of campaigning and promises unmet. Mairéad, now active with SENT — Saving the Environment of Navan Townlands, explains how she picked up the thread to carry the struggle forward.
From the Greencastle community in the Sperrins to townlands in Donegal, Wicklow, and beyond, people are asking the same questions: what will mining really mean for our land, our water, and our health? The Heaney sisters’ testimony offers a glimpse of that future — and a reminder that communities must stand together if they are to resist.
📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story
#dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining
#EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast
#ActivismPodcast
#IrishPodcast
#HumanRights
 
LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW 
 
Saving the Environment of Navan Townlands SENT Facebook page 
https://www.facebook.com/share/1GAi3uDSiH/?mibextid=wwXIfr
 
SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media) 
https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins
 
LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES 
http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/
Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction.
https://yestolifenotomining.org/
The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169
Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block.
This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this
 
LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine ) 
 
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about
 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc

#No.10 From Greencastle to the Council: Emmet McAleer on Speaking Truth to Power

From community halls to the council chamber, Emmet McAleer carried the voice of the Sperrins into local government. Here he reflects on that journey.
In 2019, Emmet made history when he was elected to the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council on a single issue: stopping the goldmine. Against the odds, he unseated a sitting SDLP councillor and became a strong, independent voice for Mid Tyrone over the next four years.
In this conversation, Emmet speaks about his roots in a family deeply tied to the campaign, what it was like to challenge party politics as an Independent, the highs of election victory, and the challenges of holding his ground in the council chamber. He also shares what it meant to lose his seat in 2023, and where the fight — and his focus — goes from here.
This is a story about courage, community, and what can happen when one determined voice refuses to be silenced.
 
📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story
#dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining 
#EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast
#ActivismPodcast
#IrishPodcast
#HumanRights
LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW 
https://www.facebook.com/McAleerOne
SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media) 
https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins
 
LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES 
http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/
Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction.
https://yestolifenotomining.org/
The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169
Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block.
This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this
 
LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine ) 
 
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about
 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc
 

# No.9 Drawing the Line: Counter-Mapping the Sperrins with V’cenza Cirefice

In this episode I sit down with V’cenza Cirefice — activist, researcher and long-time supporter of Save Our Sperrins. V’cenza has been a constant presence in the campaign, bringing not only her energy on the ground but also her skills in counter-mapping and visual storytelling.
We talk about how these creative tools give power back to communities, helping people to see the land differently, to challenge the official narratives of industry, and to protect what matters most. Alongside this, V’cenza shares her own journey into activism, the lessons learned along the way, and the deep importance of imagination in resistance.
It’s a thoughtful and inspiring conversation, full of heart, insight and the spirit of community. 
 
📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story
#dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining 
#EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast
#ActivismPodcast
#IrishPodcast
#HumanRights
 
SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media) 
https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins
 
LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES 
http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/
Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction.
https://yestolifenotomining.org/
The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169
Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block.
This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this
 
LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine ) 
 
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about
 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc
 

#No.8 At the Doorstep of the Mine: Olivia and Tish on Protecting Greencastle’s Future

In this episode I talk with Olivia and Tish, two young mums living just a stone’s throw from where the mine and processing plant are planned. Their concerns go far beyond their own families — they speak about the heart of Greencastle itself, where neighbours lean on each other, traditions are carried on, and community is the lifeblood of village life. They share, with warmth and fighting spirit, how the mine threatens not only their children’s health and future, but also the very fabric of this close-knit community. What comes through is their deep love for Greencastle and an unshakable determination to protect both their families and the village they call home. 
📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story
#dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining 
#EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast
#ActivismPodcast
#IrishPodcast
#HumanRights
 
SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media) 
https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins
 
LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES 
http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/
Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction.
https://yestolifenotomining.org/
The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169
Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block.
This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this
 
LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine ) 
 
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about
 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc

#No. 7 Human Rights in the Hills: Mary Lawlor on Defending the Defenders

Human Rights in the Hills: Mary Lawlor on Defending the Defenders
What happens when a rural community stands its ground for ten years—and the world begins to take notice?
In this special anniversary episode, we’re joined by Mary Lawlor, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, to reflect on the ongoing campaign to protect the Sperrin Mountains from gold mining. Mary shares her insights on the global patterns of repression facing environmental defenders, the right to protest, and why the Sperrins have become a case study in grassroots resistance.
We explore her past interventions, including her 2020 response to concerns about policing of peaceful protest in the region, and discuss new challenges in the post-Brexit legal landscape—including the recent NIHRC report on environmental rights and the Windsor Framework.
Recorded to mark the 10th anniversary of Save Our Sperrins, this episode is a reminder that the struggle for clean air, pure water, and respect for community voices is not just local—it’s universal.
Listen in as we connect the hills of Tyrone to the halls of the United Nations.
📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story
#dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining 
#EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast
#ActivismPodcast
#IrishPodcast
#HumanRights
LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW 
https://www.facebook.com/MaryLawlorHRDs
https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/
 
SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media) 
https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins
 
LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES 
http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/
Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction.
https://yestolifenotomining.org/
The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169
Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block.
This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this
 
LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine ) 
 
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about
 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc