end
ACRES LAKE, 7 AUGUST 2022
Eco SUNDAY 7 AUGUST 2022
ECO SHOWBOAT
at Acres Lake
Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim
54°02'19.1"N 8°02'56.4"W
Christine Mackey, artist engaging with complex environmental issues, is joined by Dr. Dolores Byrne, eco farmer and environmental scientist, to consider the question of plant extinction.
Christine Mackey discusses her project for Drumshanbo (Blackrock pond), Mesocosm, where she constructs a number of small floating Islands with indigenous willow. These water gardens are seeded with plants grown out from Mackey’s own seed collection further establishing the biosecurity and lineage of the plant materials. Bullrush, Yellow flag iris and Purple loosestrife amongst others all act as phytoremdiators that is they extract, purify and heal damaged water systems. These islands will also attract and provide an alternative place of rest and source of food for multiple land and water species whilst creating an alternative space for vulnerable plant communities - whose ‘natural’ habitats are under pressure from environmental change - to claim shelter.
Mesocosm is a scientific modelling term defined as a “bounded and partially enclosed outdoor experiment to bridge the gap between the laboratory and the real world in environmental science”.
3.30PM
PLANT EXTINCTION IN IRELAND
Waterside conversation with environmental scientist Dr. Dolores Byrne
Lecturer in Environmental Science, Institute of Technology, Sligo
Dr Dolores Byrne is a project ecologist on the EU Results based Agri-environment Pilot project. An experienced ecologist and botanist with over 14 years practice in environmental consultancy and biodiversity conservation, working mainly in UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Germany, Dolores also runs a sustainable farm in Dromahair, Co. Leitrim, which supports species-rich grassland, semi-natural woodland and heath.
Sketch study of mesocosm. Christine Mackey 2022.
Cleary and Connolly believe that learning begins with looking. Looking closely at things - for the purposes of observation and accurate documentation, or just for the simple pleasure of engaging your mind with the world - affords a deeper learning experience by fixing attention and setting up a remarkably complex and active investigation that begins with the eye and progressively engages the whole mind. The Slow Looking workshop invites you to use a range of simple viewing devices - bug boxes and magnifying glasses - to observe closely samples of biodiversity found on site, and to draw these using the materials provided, in a relaxed atmosphere conducive to conversation.
TALK
WORKSHOP
On Sunday 7th August the Eco Showboat Mayfly will dock at Acres Lake. You are invited to join us for this wonderful afternoon of art,workshops and talks.
River Movie will record the first expedition of the Mayfly - a series of encounters with artists, activists and scientists as we travel upriver from Limerick to Enniskillen, discovering the beauty of the Shannon and the Erne waterways, exploring scientific and artistic ideas for how we can save this environment from everything that threatens it today - pollution, invasive and endangered species, climate change… Using a 4k drone, a 4k gimbal camera, an IR camera and other devices for macro-photography and sound recording, River Movie will document a unique collaboration of art and science addressing the great problem of our time.
Still from River Movie: The Mayfly passses through the monumental lock at Ardnacrusha, May 2022.
️️〰〰〰ABOUT
〰〰〰️️️PROGRAMME 2022
〰〰〰️️️BOATs
️〰〰〰️️️POPUPspace
〰〰️️〰WATERways
〰〰️️〰️️ARTists
〰〰️️〰️️SCIENCEs