Sustainability Practices in Ireland: Leading the Way

Introduction 

This weekend in Galway was definitely one we won’t forget for a while! Our founder, Anne Hayden, was there for the launch of Clipper the Hurl, a new children’s book which she had the honour of curating the illustrations for. It was a lovely day, full of families, laughter, books, and that special kind of energy you only get when people gather to celebrate something meaningful.

Anne doesn’t often shout about her creative work, but we’re going to do it for her this time. The illustrations she curated for Clipper are full of life, warmth, and Irish charm, just like the story itself. Watching it all come together over the past few months has been a joy, and seeing it finally launch was a proud moment for everyone who’s been part of the journey.

A Quiet Chat with the Tánaiste

Another highlight of the event was a quiet but inspiring conversation between Anne and Tánaiste Simon Harris. They talked about Irish literature, where it’s come from, where it’s going, and how sustainability plays a bigger role in the stories we tell our children.

It’s a topic that sits right at the heart of what we do at The Informed Farmer. We spend our days working on the practical side of sustainability; soil health, food systems, climate action, but we’ve always believed that culture and creativity are just as important. If we want to build a better future, we need to be able to imagine it first. And that starts with stories.

Stories That Plant Seeds

Children’s books are often our first teachers. They help shape how we see the world, what we value, and how we treat each other. That’s why sustainability has a place in storytelling, not as a lesson to hammer home, but as a quiet thread that runs through the pages.

Clipper the Hurl isn’t a book about climate change or farming. It’s a fun, local, feel-good story. But underneath the humour and heart, there’s something more, an invitation to care about your place, your people, your roots. And that, to us, is sustainability in action.

Conclusion

We left Galway feeling quietly proud. Seeing Clipper the Hurl in the hands of families, with Anne’s curations bringing it to life, was something special.

It reminded us that stories matter, and not just the big ones. The small, local ones, the ones rooted in a place, full of heart. This wasn’t just a book launch, it was a reminder of why we do what we do.

*By Conor McElwee (MSc) Consultant, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.