A day in the life of a Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) Mentor

Why Emer became a mentor

I played a lead role in an SEC group that joined the network in Kildare in 2018. We went on a field trip to Mayo to see the work Dr Orla Nic Suibhne (Mentor) was doing with the Irish Wheelchair Association in Belmullet as we have an Irish Wheelchair Association in Clane. Following this visit, I was hooked! The connections and collaboration between the mentors and community groups are really special and are a powerful aspect of the programme. I knew at that point I wanted to become a mentor and I began in 2019. 

A Morning in Naas Library with Climate 60 Participants

My day began in the newly refurbished Naas Library and Cultural Centre, in the beautiful Chamber Room. It is an inspiring place to start any morning. I have been supporting the ‘Beginners Climate Course for the over 55s’ participants led by Jacinta Barrins. I met the latest cohort as they began choosing their climate action project for the course. We explored the new SEAI grants programme, with windows and doors upgrades drawing particular interest. This was already top of mind for many.  

This course first launched in Kildare with support from the Kildare County Council (KCC) Climate Action Officer, Paula O'Rourke and Peter Hamilton from Maynooth SEC. Maynooth is the Decarbonisation Zone in Kildare and the SEC team there help pilot and drive many climate initiatives across the county.   

Today’s session was organised locally by Nuala Wall, an active member of the Kildare Public Participation Network (PPN) Community Voluntary Advisory Group and a valued contributor to her local SEC in nearby Rathmore/Kilteel. They are currently at the ‘Learn’ stage of the SEC programme.  We also spoke about bringing information to Nuala’s local community centre coffee morning at their gathering later in the month. We arranged delivery of the new Home Energy Upgrade booklets, so she’ll have them on hand on the day. 

Midday: Progress on the Curragh Energy Master Plan

After lunch, I travelled to meet members of an SEC in Kildare town. Together, we discussed the ambitious Energy Master Plan that we aim to complete for the Curragh area later this year.  

An Energy Master Plan provides a roadmap for your community and is a valuable step in moving from planning to action. It establishes an energy baseline and identifies a tailored register of opportunities specific to your community.  

The Curragh is an area of exceptional local historical, ecological, and recreational importance in County Kildare. It is also home to a wide range of active and engaged community groups who play a vital role in protecting and enhancing this unique landscape. 

The Energy Master Plan will act as a strategic roadmap to support communities in and around the Curragh in understanding their current energy use and planning for a more sustainable future. By taking a coordinated, community led approach, the plan will identify practical and achievable actions to: 

• Improve energy efficiency across homes, community buildings, and local facilities 
• Reduce carbon emissions in line with national and climate goals 
• Transition to renewable energy sources, where appropriate and sensitive to the Curragh’s environmental and heritage value 

Ultimately, the Energy Master Plan aims to empower local communities to reduce energy costs, enhance resilience, and contribute positively to climate action while safeguarding the unique character of the Curragh.

Bhrat Bhríde Sustainable Energy Community

Solas Bhríde, a spiritual centre, joined the network in 2025 as Bhrat Bhríde Sustainable Energy Community and is leading this work to create the energy master plan. Deeply rooted in ecological awareness and a long-standing innovator in sustainable energy, the centre is helping guide community engagement and visioning for the project. The energy master plan is expected to launch at Féile Bríde in 2027, marking an exciting milestone for the wider Curragh community.  

The group is working on their community charter, which is a one-page overview of its SEC vision and is a valuable tool in working as a group to identify the collective ambition of your SEC. You can learn more about it here. Visioning workshops are a great way to plan action for communities and ensure engagement.  

Afternoon in Athy: Solas and Savings Event Planning

My final stop was in Athy, where I met the team behind the third ‘Solas & Savings’ community energy event, held in Athy Library. Athy Tidy Towns is one of the newest communities in Kildare to join the SEC network, and there’s a great sense of possibility about what they’ll achieve with this support.    

A highlight of the event was meeting Belinda and Jane from People First Credit Union. And of course, speaking with valued One Stop Shops, whose insights are always appreciated by community members seeking practical energy upgrade advice.  A busy afternoon that was worth the planning and a great opportunity to see what’s important to communities in Athy.  We are presenting the SEC Programme to the Athy Municipal District meeting in Kildare Chamber later in the month, so that the elected representatives can learn about the value of the SEC program to their communities. 

Closing Thoughts

It was a busy day but incredibly rewarding. As a SEC Mentor, I’m lucky to spend my days connecting with communities, sharing practical information, and supporting the incredible work happening across Kildare by volunteers and community groups. Whether it’s local workshops, emerging Energy Master Plans, or community-led events, the enthusiasm and commitment across the county never fails to inspire.