Where, how, or when did you gain an interest in circular activities?

Our interest in circular activities began in 2016 when we opened Fadó, a small charity shop in Carndonagh. It was born out of a desire to support local families with affordable clothing, but it quickly grew into something much bigger: a creative, community-led response to waste, fast fashion, and rural exclusion.

In 2023, we rebranded our work under the Síoraí name, and our circular economy hub has gone from strength to strength. We now operate:

• Síoraí Clothing – offering ladies’ and men’s preloved fashion, shoes, and accessories

• Síoraí Home – featuring nursery goods, baby and children’s clothing, toys, books, and homeware

• Síoraí Furniture – specialising in upcycled and reupholstered pieces, designed and restored in-house

• Our Sewing Room – where children, young people, and adults learn to sew, repair, and upcycle garments, building both skills and confidence

Our team includes:

• Carlene Lyttle, Operations Manager Sustainability & Circular Economy Hub

• Lorraine Carey, Circular Economy Hub Lead and the creative designer behind Síoraí Furniture

• Bernie Murphy, Textile Designer

• Lara McLaughlin and Caoimhe Doherty, Sustainability Textile Technicians

• Jonathon Cunningham, Furniture Restoration Technician

• Aoibhín Nolan, Project Coordinator for Shopping Spraoi

• Kathleen McDaid, Volunteer Coordinator & Logistics 

• Kate McLaughlin, responsible for visual merchandising

• And a brilliant group of 10 volunteers, 2 CE participants and 1 Tus participant who help power our shops every week

We also launched Shopping Spraoi, a youth-led fashion swap and sell that brought over 1,000 clothing items back into use and introduced a new generation to the joy of preloved.

For us, the circular economy isn’t just about reducing waste, it is about rebuilding community. In rural Donegal, where access to affordable goods, employment, and creative spaces can be limited, Síoraí is a local solution with national relevance. It brings people together, shares skills, reduces pressure on families, and reimagines how we value things — and each other.

What does your organisation do?

Spraoi agus Spórt is a multi-award-winning social enterprise based in Inishowen, Co. Donegal. We empower individuals and families through inclusive, creative programmes that foster community wellbeing and sustainable development. Our services span early years support, youth initiatives, disability services, coworking, digital creativity, and social enterprise, all underpinned by the values of inclusion, innovation, and sustainability.

What is your role within the organisation?

I’m CEO and co-founder, leading the strategic development of our programmes, partnerships, and sustainability initiatives.