Warm welcome for greening initiative at Connemara Pony Festival
THE Connemara Pony Festival that runs this year in Clifden from Sunday, August 11 to 18, will be a far greener affair with a number of initiatives being put in place to make the whole event far more environmentally friendly.
Last month, Cllr. Liam Carroll, Mayor of Co. Galway, recently launched the greening plan for the festival with the Festival Committee working in partnership with Galway County Council, FORUM Connemara, Barna Waste Ltd. and the various food suppliers – together they will take steps to improve the festival’s environmental performance and reduce the impact on the environment in the showgrounds.
They plan to increase the quantities of waste diverted from landfill through improved composting and recycling practices. This will be achieved through managed waste segregation on site. All food waste, compostable plates, bowls, serviettes, knives and forks will be segregated in organic waste bins for composting and all plastics, cardboard and aluminium will be segregated in bins for recycling.
“Greening festivals and events like the Connemara Pony Festival is an exceptionally positive initiative and will reap significant rewards for the festival in addition to encouraging the delivery of resource efficiency and waste prevention initiatives at a local level.
“Galway County Council is delighted to assist the committee who have risen to the challenge of addressing waste and litter issues as part of this international event,” said Mayor Carroll.
Henry O’Toole, Chairperson of the Connemara Pony Festival committee said that ‘going green’ was a phenomenon sweeping across a host of events nationally. “With the Connemara Pony Show celebrating its 90th anniversary this year we are delighted to be associated with such a positive initiative,” said Mr. O’Toole.
The Connemara Pony Festival will feature the 90th Connemara Pony Show on Thursday and Friday, August 15/16th at the Showgrounds, Clifden. For more information on the festival please visit www.cpbs.ie or Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society on Facebook. Additional information on ‘Greening Galway Festivals’ is available from Sinéad Ní Mhainnín, Galway County Council 091-476488 or [email protected].