In this thoughtful and quietly powerful conversation, we speak with Dr Louise Taylor — a political researcher, eco-therapist, 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.

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LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW 

http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/

https://yestolifenotomining.org/

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-abcs-of-green-politics/id1535697681?i=1000494627519

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

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.