Wexford couple go for a spin cycle to wash clothes

A couple in the south-east have come up with a unique way of keeping fit, utilising natural resources, and preserving the environment by running their washing machine using a bicycle.

Pat O’Brien and Tina Carolan run the Kylemore Natural Energy centre just outside New Ross, and such is their expertise at self-sufficiency that they have not had electricity supplied to their centre for around 13 years. Instead they rely on alternative energy sources to run their home.

“We thought this would be a great thing to do — especially nowadays when there is so much in the news about obesity levels, people being overweight, and the need to adopt a healthier lifestyle,” said Tina, who is a former fitness instructor.