The Sperrins Podcast

The Sperrins Podcast

Welcome to the Save Our Sperrins Podcast, where we explore the beauty, significance, and urgent challenges facing the Sperrin Mountains in Northern Ireland . This podcast dives into the heart of the campaign to protect this stunning landscape from the threat of gold mining, offering insights, stories, and expert perspectives on why the Sperrins matter—not just to Ireland, but to the world. Join us as we navigate the critical public inquiry process, unpack the environmental, cultural, and social stakes, and celebrate the people standing up for their communities and the planet. Each episode delivers powerful testimonies, actionable advice, and heartfelt stories that inspire hope and action. Whether you’re a concerned local, an environmental advocate, or someone who simply loves nature, the Sperrins Podcast invites you to be part of this vital movement. Together, we can protect what truly matters.

Episodes

September 27, 2025 52 mins

In this episode I speak with Sinéad Ní Mhearnóg Uí Ghéibheannaigh, a young mother, poet, and advocate for the Irish language from ConyGlen near Greencastle. Sinéad works with Glór na nGael, supporting communities to keep the language alive, and has long been a passionate voice in the Save Our Sperrins campaign.

We talk about her roots in the Sperrins, the role of language in shaping identity, and how culture and community sustain r...

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    In this episode, I speak with Dr Amy Strecker, Associate Professor at the Sutherland School of Law in UCD and one of the volunteer expert witnesses supporting the Public Inquiry into goldmining in the Sperrins.

    Amy brings her expertise in land law, justice, and cultural landscapes, helping us understand how law can both protect and endanger communities and the places they call home. She speaks about the Sperrins in the wider Europe...

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    This update brings you inside the Council chamber as Fermanagh and Omagh District Council refused Dalradian’s latest attempts to delay site restoration until 2025. From explosive claims that their works are “miniscule” to councillors openly admitting unfamiliarity with the site, it was a meeting that laid bare the contradictions and the politics around mining in the Sperrins. Tune in to hear what happened, why it matters, and what ...

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    In this episode, I sit down with Mary McGuiggan — A Derry woman, retired primary school teacher, renowned Irish dancer and dance teacher, activist, mother, grandmother, and  Gaelic speaker are just some of her many talents .

    Mary has been at the heart of building the Rights of Nature campaign in Northern Ireland and is one of the founders of The Gathering, which brings activists together from across Ireland to share struggles, stre...

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    What is it really like to live beside a mine? In this episode of the Save Our Sperrins Podcast – Voices from the Frontline, we hear from sisters Nuala and Mairéad Heaney of Navan, County Meath. Their family home sits in the shadow of the Randalstown tailings dam — a toxic reservoir that has grown stage by stage since the late 1970s.

    For communities across Ireland facing the threat of new prospecting licences and goldmining projects...

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    From community halls to the council chamber, Emmet McAleer carried the voice of the Sperrins into local government. Here he reflects on that journey.

    In 2019, Emmet made history when he was elected to the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council on a single issue: stopping the goldmine. Against the odds, he unseated a sitting SDLP councillor and became a strong, independent voice for Mid Tyrone over the next four years.

    In this convers...

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    In this episode I sit down with V’cenza Cirefice — activist, researcher and long-time supporter of Save Our Sperrins. V’cenza has been a constant presence in the campaign, bringing not only her energy on the ground but also her skills in counter-mapping and visual storytelling.

    We talk about how these creative tools give power back to communities, helping people to see the land differently, to challenge the official narratives of i...

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    In this episode I talk with Olivia and Tish, two young mums living just a stone’s throw from where the mine and processing plant are planned. Their concerns go far beyond their own families — they speak about the heart of Greencastle itself, where neighbours lean on each other, traditions are carried on, and community is the lifeblood of village life. They share, with warmth and fighting spirit, how the mine threatens not only thei...

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    Human Rights in the Hills: Mary Lawlor on Defending the Defenders

    What happens when a rural community stands its ground for ten years—and the world begins to take notice?

    In this special anniversary episode, we’re joined by Mary Lawlor, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, to reflect on the ongoing campaign to protect the Sperrin Mountains from gold mining. Mary shares her insights on the global patterns...

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    The Hollywood family have lived and farmed in the Sperrins for generations. But now, their home lies in the shadow of a proposed goldmine. In this moving conversation, they share what it feels like to live with that looming threat—day in, day out. This episode is about place, memory, and the quiet courage it takes to protect what you love. 

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    In this thoughtful and quietly powerful conversation, we speak with Dr Louise Taylor — a political researcher, ecotherapist, 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 e...

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    About this episode: This solo podcast marks a major milestone: ten years since a group of ordinary people in the Sperrin Mountains in Northern Ireland  said no to a proposed goldmine — and yes to something much more powerful: community, care, and commitment to place.

    In this heartfelt reflection, Marella Fyffe , a  member of Save Our Sperrins team , traces the arc of the campaign. This isn’t just a recap — it’s a living memory of w...

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    In this episode, we hear from two key voices in the Save Our Sperrins campaign — Fidelma O’Kane and Cormac McAleer. While many played a part in founding SOS, Fidelma and Cormac have remained a steady presence throughout. Ten years on, they reflect on what sparked the movement, how the community has held strong, and why the campaign to protect the Sperrins continues.

    This is a conversation about community  strength, staying the cour...

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    In this special episode of the Sperrins Podcast, we take you inside the short-lived but revealing Public Inquiry into the Dalradian goldmine proposal. From the opening day’s dysfunction to its sudden collapse just three days later, this episode tells the full story of what happened—and why it matters.

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    In our debut episode, we explore the breathtaking beauty and profound significance of the Sperrin Mountains. Discover why this unique landscape, rich in history, biodiversity, and cultural heritage, is worth protecting. We delve into the threats posed by gold mining and why this campaign is about more than just a place—it’s about safeguarding our environment, community, and future. Join us to learn, reflect, and take action for the...

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