Galway couple doing their bit for cleaner air

Mona Wise with Enda Cantwell of Bradley’s Renault in Galway and Mícheál O’Cadhla of GIY Ireland at the handover of the Renault Fluence ZE. Photo: Andrew Downes.

placeholder image — Mona Wise with Enda Cantwell of Bradley’s Renault in Galway and Mícheál O’Cadhla of GIY Ireland at the handover of the Renault Fluence ZE. Photo: Andrew Downes.

A Galway couple are among four pioneers chosen to take part in the Operation GIY Nation campaign launched last March in association with Renault Ireland and GIY (Grow it Yourself) Ireland.

The four are participating in an eco-adventure, growing their own food and driving Renault’s Fluence Z.E. electric car for the next three months.

The winner, who will be chosen by a panel from GIY Ireland and Renault Group, will not only walk away from the adventure armed with new life-skills and lots of healthy, home-grown produce – they also get to keep their Renault Fluence Z.E.

The pioneers are Gary Guilfoyle of Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath; Keith McGreal of Castlebar, Co.Mayo; Rachel Coffey of Dalkey, Co. Dublin and Móna Wise from Claregalway, who is currently on work placement at the Connacht Tribune.

Each pioneer was chosen for their enthusiasm for growing their own food, and for their interest in driving an eco-friendly electric vehicle and their ability to promote their challenge through blogging and social media.

“We were delighted to be chosen for this project,” said Móna Wise.

“The four kids are all at the age where they are learning more about the environment at home and at school. We already raise chickens, ducks and turkeys for the table and this year each of the kids have all been assigned small growing projects in the garden.

“They are all grumbling about all the weeding they have to do but are delighted to watch their vegetables thrive, and show great enthusiasm when it comes to eating what they grow."

Móna, a full time student of the MA in Journalism at NUI Galway, and her husband Ron, a baker at Morton’s of Galway, plan on focusing their efforts on the huge costs savings this car will give them, especially during the summer months.

The cost of a full charge for the electric car is only two euros and this allows for a drive of 80km to 100km per charge.

“There is certainly a feel-good factor about driving this car,” admits Ron.

“We would all like to think we do our share for cleaner air and driving an electric vehicle like the Renault Fluence ZE is an excellent opportunity. Aside from the huge cost savings, it is a pleasure to drive and we have made several trips around the county already testing the range and speed of the car.”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.