To Be Heard - Deirdre de Bhailís

To Be Heard - Deirdre de Bhailís

From Life Beyond The Numbers by Susan Ni Chriodain

January 28, 2026 · 46 min · Episode 218

About this episode

Deirdre de Bhailís discusses the importance of being heard in community-led change and sustainability efforts on the Dingle Peninsula.

"So it's just giving people multiple ways to feed into this and to be heard. To be heard is the most important thing, is what I've learned." Deirdre de Bhailís Deirdre de Bhailís and I talk about what it really takes for change to happen in communities — and why being heard matters so much when people are navigating uncertainty, sustainability, and the future of the places they live. Prompted by the Dingle Peninsula being named Ireland’s Greenest Place, our conversation explores local action on climate, food, transport and livelihoods and how community-led work connects policy with lived reality. Deirdre shares examples from the Dingle Hub, including quiet lanes, cycling, food waste, renewable energy, and the role of trust in making change stick. We also discuss the role of leadership in communities, the importance of pacing change and creating spaces where difficult conversations can be held without fear. From coastal resilience in the Maharees to sustaining livelihoods on the Dingle Peninsula this is a conversation about people taking responsibility for the long-term future of the places they live. Deirdre de Bhailís is a nationally-recognised leader in social enterprise and…

People in this episode

Host: Susan Ni Chriodain

Guest: Deirdre de Bhailís

Topics covered

  • community change
  • sustainability
  • climate action
  • local leadership
  • food waste
  • renewable energy

Keywords

  • community engagement
  • climate change
  • sustainability
  • local action
  • leadership
  • food transport

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Dingle Hub

Places: Dingle Peninsula, Ireland, Maharees

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