The Dolmens Climate Action Network brings people together across South-East County Down, Northern Ireland, to take practical action on climate change.
Through community events, learning opportunities and local projects, the network explores solutions in energy, food, biodiversity, art, culture and the circular economy.
Whatever your passion, the Dolmens empowers you to turn ideas into action and help shape a resilient, sustainable future together.
Local climate action is about more than projects.
It’s about people feeling connected — to each other, to their neighbourhoods and to a shared sense of purpose.
This short video highlights some of our action areas and the community’s journey through the development of our Energy Masterplan.
News & Updates
LUNASA 2026 Programme Launch
Join The Dolmens this summer as we celebrate Lúnasa, the ancient Celtic festival of harvest, community and connection, with a rich programme of music, storytelling, traditional games, nature conservation, food heritage and outdoor gatherings across Castlewellan and...
Energy Masterplan Showcased at Stormont
Representatives from The Dolmens Climate Action Network attended the Sustainable Energy Communities NI (SEC NI) Conference at the Long Gallery in the Northern Ireland Assembly this week, where communities from across Northern Ireland came together to celebrate the...
Interwoven Group Uses Art to Highlight Marine Litter
The Interwoven subgroup of Dolmens Climate Action Network has been bringing together creativity and environmental action through an inspiring community arts project focused on raising awareness of marine litter. The group was originally formed in summer 2025 when...
Our Story
The Dolmens Climate Action Network began as a simple conversation about climate change at the 2019 Soma Arts Festival in Castlewellan. What started as a single gathering of over 70 people quickly grew into a series of monthly meetings, bringing together a community eager to learn, share ideas and take action.
Inspired by the four ancient dolmens that form a natural ring around Castlewellan, our name reflects both our roots and our reach, spanning the surrounding areas of Newcastle, Dundrum, Kilkeel, and Hilltown
What We Do
From the beginning, our activities have been diverse and hands-on, ranging from tree planting and nature walks to community events like apple squeezes and bring-and-share dinners. We’ve supported households through energy advice clinics and home energy saver kits, helping people make small changes that add up to a big difference.
When the pandemic hit, we adapted by focusing on resilience, distributing seeds and seedlings, encouraging local food growing and staying connected as a community to support each other through uncertainty.
From this grew one of our most enduring initiatives: a permanent plant swap and sharing stall in Castlewellan, now thriving for over five years.
Today, we continue to grow a wide range of community-led projects, including a monthly Repair Café in Downpatrick and Castlewellan, an energy master plan, a community garden, foraging walks, and creative arts events, all driven by people coming together to turn ideas into action.
Join us and get involved
Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date with what we’re doing, upcoming events and ways to get involved.
Sign up with your email to join our mailing list and stay updated on all our events, activities and community projects. You can also email us directly at climateaction@dolmens.info
Join our WhatsApp community to stay connected. Chat with the wider group or join subgroups focused on your interests.
