In this episode, I speak with Kerry McCrory, who lives in Coneyglen in the heart of the Sperrins. Through her holistic practice, Kerry helps people reconnect with balance, colour, and the deeper rhythms of nature — but over the years, her care for human well-being has become inseparable from her care for the land itself - through her  opposition to the gold mine  to challenging the spread of industrial wind farms.  Kerry  speaks movingly  about the sacred relationship between people and place.This is a conversation about the sacred, in its truest sense: the everyday holiness of the hills, the quiet power of community, and the call to protect what we love before it’s gone. For the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil we grow from — together, we hold the line. 📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story #dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining  #EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast #ActivismPodcast #IrishPodcast #HumanRights   Links for Kerry Kerry's new website www.sacred-rainbow-weave.com  The summit that Kerry organised can be found here: www.sacredrainbowcurrent.com  Facebook page Kerry https://www.facebook.com/kerry.mccrory.79 Facebook page Coneyglen https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064599586019 Email light@sacred-rainbow-weave.com    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    

In this conversation, James Orr — Director of Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland — joins us to reflect on decades of environmental work, solidarity, and vision for change.From his long-standing support for the Save Our Sperrins campaign to his calls for an independent environmental agency and a just settlement for Lough Neagh, James brings a rare combination of grounded experience and deep ecological thinking.We talk about what it means to move beyond extractivism, how communities can stand together in the face of corporate power, and the urgent need to reimagine how we live with and care for the land and water that sustain us all. 📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story #dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining  #EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast #ActivismPodcast #IrishPodcast #HumanRights    LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW  https://friendsoftheearth.uk/latest/northern-ireland   SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)    https://www.dontmineus.com   https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins   https://www.instagram.com/save_our_sperrins/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-our-sperrins   https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-sperrins-108907   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins    https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n32q3-1939c83   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://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  

In this conversation, Marella speaks with Emma Conway, founder of Sperrin Soul Forest School — a mother, educator, and member of an extended  local family whose differing views on the goldmine mirror the wider divisions playing out across this rural community While parts of Emma’s family have engaged with Dalradian, others, including Emma herself, have spoken out against the mine.  It’s a story that runs deep — of love and loyalty, of belonging and belief — and of what it means to keep connection alive when the land beneath you becomes contested. Together, they talk about  how extractive projects fracture communities, and why Emma continues to plant hope — quite literally — in the living soil of these hills and bogs This episode invites us to listen for the smaller quieter acts of resistance: nurturing children’s wonder, teaching care for the more-than-human world, and remembering that healing the land begins with how we treat one another. For the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil we grow from — together we hold the line. #dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining  #DividedByGold #RootedInTheSperrins #StoriesFromTheHills  📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story  LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW  Sperrin Soul Forest School  sperrinsoul@gmail.com linktr.ee/sperrinsoul instagram sperrinsoul_forestschool  https://irishforestschoolassociation.ie/   SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins https://www.youtube.com/@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://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

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://www.dontmineus.com   https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins   https://www.instagram.com/save_our_sperrins/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-our-sperrins   https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-sperrins-108907   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins    https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n32q3-1939c83     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://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

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 th

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://www.dontmineus.com   https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins   https://www.instagram.com/save_our_sperrins/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-our-sperrins   https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-sperrins-108907   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins    https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n32q3-1939c83   https://feed.podbean.com/buttonsoptions4u/feed.xml   https://zerowastenw.org/projects/the-gathering/   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://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  

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://www.dontmineus.com   https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins   https://www.instagram.com/save_our_sperrins/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-our-sperrins   https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-sperrins-108907   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins    https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n32q3-1939c83   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://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    

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    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://www.dontmineus.com   https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins   https://www.instagram.com/save_our_sperrins/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-our-sperrins   https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-sperrins-108907   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins    https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n32q3-1939c83   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://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 dis

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    LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW    Saving the Environment of Navan Townlands SENT Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/share/1GAi3uDSiH/?mibextid=wwXIfr   SOCIAL MEDIA   https://www.dontmineus.com   https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins   https://www.instagram.com/save_our_sperrins/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-our-sperrins   https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-sperrins-108907   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins    https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n32q3-1939c83   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://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  -https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc

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.   SOCIAL MEDIA   https://www.dontmineus.com   https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins   https://www.instagram.com/save_our_sperrins/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-our-sperrins   https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-sperrins-108907   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins    https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n32q3-1939c83   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://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   GOOGLE LINK TO Greencastle People’s Office - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc

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.    SOCIAL MEDIA   https://www.dontmineus.com   https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins   https://www.instagram.com/save_our_sperrins/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-our-sperrins   https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-sperrins-108907   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins    https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n32q3-1939c83   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://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   GOOGLE LINK TO Greencastle People’s Office - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc

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.  SOCIAL MEDIA   https://www.dontmineus.com   https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins   https://www.instagram.com/save_our_sperrins/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-our-sperrins   https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-sperrins-108907   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins    https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n32q3-1939c83   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://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   GOOGLE LINK TO Greencastle People’s Office - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc  

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. SOCIAL MEDIA   https://www.dontmineus.com   https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins   https://www.instagram.com/save_our_sperrins/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-our-sperrins   https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-sperrins-108907   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins    https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n32q3-1939c83   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://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   GOOGLE LINK TO Greencastle People’s Office - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc  

The Hollywood family have lived and farmed in the Sperrins for generations. But now, their home lies in the shadow of a proposed goldmine. In this moving conversation, they share what it feels like to live with that looming threat—day in, day out. This episode is about place, memory, and the quiet courage it takes to protect what you love.  📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story SOCIAL MEDIA   https://www.dontmineus.com   https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins   https://www.instagram.com/save_our_sperrins/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-our-sperrins   https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-sperrins-108907   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins    https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n32q3-1939c83   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://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   GOOGLE LINK TO Greencastle People’s Office - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc  

In this thoughtful and quietly powerful conversation, we speak with Dr Louise Taylor — a political researcher, ecotherapist, and  member of the Unionist community — about her journey into the heart of the Save Our Sperrins campaign. With a PhD exploring the relationship between nature and mental health, Louise brings a deeply informed and personal perspective to the importance of protecting places like the Sperrins — not just for environmental reasons, but for our collective wellbeing. She speaks about her love of the land, the healing power of the more-than-human world, and what it means to stand up for something that transcends politics. This episode gently unpicks assumptions about who the campaign is for and offers a wider invitation — across backgrounds and beliefs — to reconnect with the land and one another. Whether you’re new to the story or have been walking this path for years, Louise’s voice brings depth, hope, and welcome. 📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story SOCIAL MEDIA   https://www.dontmineus.com   https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins   https://www.instagram.com/save_our_sperrins/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-our-sperrins   https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-sperrins-108907   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins    https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n32q3-1939c83   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://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   GOOGLE LINK TO Greencastle People’s Office - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc     Louise's poem that she refers to in the podcast  Wasps in December  She had not been stung since her childhood.  That was decades ago.  Her house on the hill had facilitated wasps.  Not homed them Not supported them Entertainment had happened.  She saw them as gifts. Stings unwanted, but a sign of things to come. Blissful Armageddon. She noticed on her return, almost a decade ago. There were lots of wasps North. Not usually a fan, she liked this one. Peace with it all. 

About this episode:This solo podcast marks a major milestone: ten years since a group of ordinary people in the Sperrin Mountains in Northern Ireland  said no to a proposed goldmine — and yes to something much more powerful: community, care, and commitment to place. In this heartfelt reflection, Marella Fyffe , a  member of Save Our Sperrins team , traces the arc of the campaign. This isn’t just a recap — it’s a living memory of what resistance looks like from the inside. It honours both the highlights and the heartbreaks: 🔆 Highlights include: Early public meetings and the forming of SOS Major protests in Dungannon, Omagh, and Greencastle Legal wins, including the 2018 judicial review International support from the UN and NI Human Rights Commission Creative resistance: music, art, school projects, storytelling The Salmon Songs concert and intergenerational action 🌑 And it doesn’t shy away from the lows: Bureaucratic obstruction and planning fatigue The emotional toll of organising, burnout, and surveillance The collapse of the 2025 Public Inquiry Feeling unheard, misrepresented, and dismissed Whether you’ve been walking this road with us from the start, or you’re new to the story, this episode is an invitation to listen — and to remember that gold isn’t always what glitters. 📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story SOCIAL MEDIA   https://www.dontmineus.com   https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins   https://www.instagram.com/save_our_sperrins/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-our-sperrins   https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-sperrins-108907   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins    https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n32q3-1939c83   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://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   GOOGLE LINK TO Greencastle People’s Office - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc Music & editing by: Marella Fyffe More episodes & interviews: [Add link to series or playlist if available]

In this episode, we hear from two key voices in the Save Our Sperrins campaign — Fidelma O’Kane and Cormac McAleer. While many played a part in founding SOS, Fidelma and Cormac have remained a steady presence throughout. Ten years on, they reflect on what sparked the movement, how the community has held strong, and why the campaign to protect the Sperrins continues. This is a conversation about community  strength, staying the course, and the quiet determination of people who refuse to back down.It’s also a reminder that the global extractivism of the past must become history — and that the future lies in a new story rooted in clean air, pure water, and healthy soil for all life, everywhere. 📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story SOCIAL MEDIA   https://www.dontmineus.com   https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins   https://www.instagram.com/save_our_sperrins/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-our-sperrins   https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-sperrins-108907   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins    https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n32q3-1939c83   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://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   GOOGLE LINK TO Greencastle People’s Office - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc

In this special episode of the Sperrins Podcast, we take you inside the short-lived but revealing Public Inquiry into the Dalradian goldmine proposal. From the opening day’s dysfunction to its sudden collapse just three days later, this episode tells the full story of what happened—and why it matters. 📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story 🌍 Visit: https://www.dontmineus.com  https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins https://www.instagram.com/save_our_sperrins/ https://www.dontmineus.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-our-sperrins https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-sperrins-108907 https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins  

In our debut episode, we explore the breathtaking beauty and profound significance of the Sperrin Mountains. Discover why this unique landscape, rich in history, biodiversity, and cultural heritage, is worth protecting. We delve into the threats posed by gold mining and why this campaign is about more than just a place—it’s about safeguarding our environment, community, and future. Join us to learn, reflect, and take action for the Sperrins. 📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story SOCIAL MEDIA   https://www.dontmineus.com   https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins   https://www.instagram.com/save_our_sperrins/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-our-sperrins   https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-sperrins-108907   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins    https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n32q3-1939c83   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://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 GOOGLE LINK TO Greencastle People’s Office - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc