Global Action Plan Ireland

Looking forward to this beautiful event tomorrow in St Pappin's with Ballymun Biodiversity Action Group!

🌳 NATURE EXPLORERS ON THE LOOSE! 🌳

Over the past few weeks, the boys from Holy Spirit BNS have kicked off their exciting Nature Explorer for Schools programme! 🦅✨

Our first adventure took us to Poppintree Park for a spot of birdwatching. Armed with keen eyes and lots of enthusiasm, we spotted a fantastic variety of feathered friends. While the elusive resident heron decided to play hide-and-seek today, the real showstoppers were on the pond...

The boys were absolutely thrilled to count 9 adorable cygnets swimming happily behind their proud parents! 🦢❤️

It’s been an incredible start to the programme, connecting with nature right on our doorstep in Ballymun and learning all about our local wildlife. Stay tuned for more updates from our young explorers!

This project is supported by the Department of Education and Dublin City Council.

What an incredible opening day at Bord Bia Bloom 2026! 🌸

We were deeply honoured to welcome President Catherine Connolly to Global Action Plan Ireland’s "Wish You Were Here" postcard garden yesterday.

It was an absolute privilege to greet the Uachtarán na hÉireann / President of Ireland Catherine Connolly and take her through the design, sharing the vision behind our garden and discussing the vital community climate action and environmental education work we do at GAP. Her warm engagement and genuine interest in sustainable, community-led change meant the world to our team.

The "Wish You Were Here" garden is all about connection, climate action, and the power of local communities. If you are visiting Phoenix Park this June bank holiday weekend, please stop by, say hello, and explore the garden for yourself! 🌿✨

📸 Photos by Maxwell Photography Maxwell Photography

🥇 WE WON A MEDAL AT BLOOM 2026! 🥇

Huge, heartfelt congratulations to the incredibly talented Sharon and Lee! Their stunning "Wish You Were Here" postcard garden has officially been awarded a Highly Commended medal at Bord Bia Bloom 2026! 🌸✨

Sharon and Lee have poured so much passion, creativity, and hard work into bringing this beautiful concept to life, and we couldn't be prouder to see their vision recognised and this amazing garden come to life. Thanks too to Niamh and all the garden volunteers who designed and painted the mural.

The gates are open, the sun is shining (fingers crossed!), and Bloom is officially underway. If you’re heading to the Phoenix Park this bank holiday weekend, make sure to come by, say hello, and experience the magic of the "Wish You Were Here" garden in person. It’s the perfect spot for a weekend stroll and some serious garden inspiration. 📸👇

Huge congrats again, Sharon and Lee! 🥂🎉

CPD that feels like a breath of fresh air. Literally. 🌬️🍃

GAP supported Outdoor Learning & Forest School EPV Courses is open for bookings! You can book places in Dublin, Galway, and Waterford this summer to help you bring your primary teaching and learning outside.

Why choose this course?
1️⃣ 100% Practical: You’ll be doing, creating, and experiencing—not just listening.
2️⃣ Curriculum Aligned: Easy-to-implement ideas for SESE, Maths, Language, and Wellbeing.
3️⃣ Boost Wellbeing: Spend your training days outdoors in a relaxing, supportive environment.

Approved for EPV days and perfect for you to help expand your teaching toolkit.

📍 Dublin | Galway | Waterford
🔗 Link in bio to grab your spot before they sell out!
Dublin: https://bit.ly/CPD_nature
Galway: https://tinyurl.com/GECoutdoored
Waterford: https://tinyurl.com/wtcepv2026

Seeking to cultivate hope in a time of change and challenge? 🌍✨

Active Hope is more than just a feeling—it’s a practice. If you’re feeling "sunk" by global challenges, join our friends at Project Mobilise for a transformative 3-hour workshop designed to nourish your resilience and enliven your engagement for positive change.

Co-facilitated by Chris Johnstone (co-author of Active Hope with Joanna Macy) and Anna Swisher (Project Mobilise), this interactive online session is specifically for those on the island of Ireland (including NI). This workshop may be useful for those who are interested in the GAP supported facilitator training starting in September '26.

What to expect:
A Shift in Perspective: Move from "feeling hopeful" to "practicing hope."
Overcoming Obstacles: Tools to face the scale of modern challenges without turning away.
The Work That Reconnects: Practical frameworks to prevent burnout and sustain your passion.
A Path Forward: Perfect for those interested in the upcoming Facilitator Training Programme that GAP is supporting

📅 WHEN: 30th of May | 10 am – 1 pm Irish Time
📍 WHERE: Online (Live participation required; will not be recorded)
💰 FEES: Supported (€35) | Standard (€50) | Supporting (€65)
Don't let the scale of the world dim your light. Learn how to show up, play your part, and stay resourced.

🔗 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/AHMay26
📧 Questions? Email Anna at [email protected]

NEW CLASSROOM RESOURCE JUST DROPPED!

Exploring misinformation with secondary school students? Dig deeper into the topic with this Thinking Hats activity for student-centred conversations about the internet, social media and critical literacy.

This resource follows on from GAP’s video lesson about mis- and dis-information. It strongly aligns with learning outcomes in CSPE, SPHE Climate Action and Sustainable Development and Computer Science.

Developed with funding from WorldWise Global Schools

Download the resource here: https://tinyurl.com/gapmisinfo2026