Month long climate action festival in Laois
Some of the organiser at the launch of the Climate Action Festival which has events taking place across Laois throughout the month of October
A CLIMATE Action Festival is taking place across Laois this month to celebrate sustainability, creativity and community.
With 35 events scheduled, the festival promises to inspire, entertain and engage people of all ages through talks, performances, workshops, film, art, food and immersive outdoor experiences.
There will be free events taking place throughout October in schools, community venues and public spaces.
The Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise will serve as a major hub, hosting eight headline events ranging from comedy and cabaret to hands-on creative workshops and film screenings. Families, students, activists and the wider public will be invited to explore issues of climate and community through performances, science shows, art exchanges and food-focused activities.
The Climate Action Coordinator for Laois County Council Suzanne Dempsey said: “The Laois Climate Action Festival is about bringing people together to celebrate creativity, community and climate action. As well as raising awareness, it aims to spark ideas, empower people and show that we can make change in ways that are fun, engaging and inclusive for everyone.”
Among the highlights are climate scientist and stormchaser Mark Langtry, known as ‘Mark the Science Guy,’ who will bring the excitement of extreme weather to local schools through interactive experiments that spark curiosity and empower young people.
Creativity and community are central to the programme with initiatives such as a free art, craft, book and supplies swap encouraging people to refresh their creative resources without waste. A sustainable family art workshop led by artist Caroline Keane. A teenage Climate Action Zine workshop with Kate Heffernan, making their own mini magazines from reused materials to spread messages of change.
The Dunamaise Urban Gardeners project will bring together artists, gardeners and local growers to explore biodiversity and low-carbon living, the Laois Forest School will lead immersive walks in nature to reconnect participants with the landscape while film lovers will enjoy a screening of OCEAN, narrated by David Attenborough, followed by a short film showcase and panel discussion.
Laura Dunne from the, Dunamaise Arts Centre said: “We’re delighted to host eight of the festival’s events, ranging from comedy and cabaret to film and hands-on workshops. The arts have a unique role to play in helping people imagine new possibilities for our future, and this festival is a wonderful opportunity to combine creativity with positive climate action.”
The festival programme aims to reflect the priorities of the Laois Climate Action Plan 2024–2029, with themes of sustainability, resilience, biodiversity, community transition and the circular economy running throughout.
The Laois Climate Action Festival 2025 is free and open to all. Whether you are a student, parent, artist, activist or simply curious, the festival invites you to join in building a more sustainable future.
For the full programme of events over the course of October log onto laois.ie/ClimateActionFestival or phone 057 86 63355.
