THE SATURDAY WALKSHOPS

3 writing workshops with COLM KEEGAN











An award winning writer and poet from South Dublin, Colm has developed a particular connection with the Dodder which he will share with budding writers who are willing to take on myths and realities of an urban river, walking through perceptions and memories of the river’s course through the neighbourhoods of Colm’s home town.


Join Colm for 3 unique writing workshops along the River Dodder. Through mindful walks, creative prompts, and group sharing, you'll be guided to reconnect with your imagination and explore yourcreativevoice in a relaxed, supportive setting. Suitable for all levels, this workshop offers space to reflect, write, and connect.

Creators of the Eco Showboat expeditions in 2022 and 2023, Artists Anne Cleary and Denis Connolly aka School of Looking, are collaborating with the Firhouse CRC, Dodder Action and poet Colm Keegan to increase awareness and understanding of fresh water biodiversity  along the Dodder River at Firhouse this summer. The project, called Catchments 2025 - The Dodder, has received a Research Ireland Discover Award. It is a Citizen Art and Science project aiming to bring communities together to foster preservation of fresh waterbodies in County Dublin. The artists will spend 2 days on the banks of the Dodder engaging in citizen science activities and making art with adults attending the Firhouse CRC and the local Men’s Shed.

Anne and Denis are on location at Firhouse on the River Dodder, to walk, talk and learn with invertebrate biologist Marcin Penk and with members of Dodder Action. These conversations will result in a film to be screened later in the programme.

PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME 

30 APRIL, 1 MAY

CATCHMENTS 2025 is supported by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland* Discover Award, Creative Ireland, The Department of Education, South Dublin County Council Arts Office, the UCD Earth Institute.

*Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland is the new national research and innovation funding agency, established on the 1st August 2024 through the amalgamation of the activities and functions of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Irish Research Council (IRC).


CATCHMENTS 2025 is supported  by the Creative Ireland Programme, an all-of-government five-year initiative, from 2023 to 2027, which places creativity at the centre of public policy. Further information from creativeireland.gov.ie.

A DAY IN THE DODDER

3 afternoons learning about biodiversity and enjoying macro photography with artists Anne Cleary and Denis Connolly for attendees of the CRC Firhouse.

In collaboration with CRC Firhouse and  Dodder Action.

Location: CRC Firhouse and Dodder Riverbank Park

  1. Activities to include:

17th, 18th & 19th JULY

12th, 19th & 26th JULY


  2. Filming of ‘A Day in the Dodder’

  3. with biologist Marcin Penk and members of Dodder Action

Marcin Penk and Anne Cleary talk about the Dodder in the Dodder. Firhouse, 30 April 2025

Tuesday June 17th


10:00

Biodiversity walk at the riverside with Dodder Action


13:30

Demonstration of biodiversity mapping technique at CRC Firhouse.


14:00

Mapping and photography exercises at riverside.


Wednesday June 18th


12:00

Kick sample with Dodder Action


13:30 

Identification of invertebrates, water analysis based on invertebrate count, macrophotography.


Thursday June 19th


13:30

Short walk to gather samples in park.


14.30

Macrophotography, flower pressing, herbarium notebooks, NBDC forms.


Activities to include:

Anne Cleary explores the Dodder with members of Dodder Action. Firhouse, 30 April 2025

The Dodder at Firhouse

Anne & Denis discuss their winter 'recce' of seven water bodies across Ireland for CATCHMENTS 2025

 
NATURE SQUARED A combined nature survey and macrophotography workshop, “Nature Squared” uses a simple surveying tool known as a “quadrat”. This is a square frame that can be placed on site to delineate a small area to survey (ie. to investigate the abundance of plants and/or animals in a habitat). Cleary and Connolly will be working with participants to survey important species, document findings and contribute to important nature monitoring programmes by submitting data to the National Biodiversity Data Centre. Framing is also of essential importance to the art of photography and the same quadrat will be central to the macrophotography workshop studying biodiversity through the lens.https://vimeo.com/1091284463

  1. HAVE YOU SEEN THESE LADIES?*

  2. A nature walk and “treasure hunt” with Anne Cleary and Denis Connolly. 

  3. The National Biodiversity Data Centre are compiling a Ladybird Atlas 2025, gathering sightings of ladybirds all over Ireland to address a gap in our knowledge in the status of this important species. Native species are threatened by an invasive species, the Harlequin. During this relaxed walk join the artists in spotting and identifying ladybirds of all kinds, taking amazing macro photographs of these gorgeous creatures, and submitting the data to the NBDC to contribute to the important ongoing survey.  

 

  1. The biodiversity workshops will depend on seasonal, meteorological and site specific circumstances. They may include:


  3. BEE COUNTED!*

  4. Flower-Insect Timed Counts (FIT Counts) are a really useful way that people can help environmentalists monitor pollinators and contribute to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. 

  5. Using the same quadrats from Nature Squared, the team will count, photograph and video pollinators while recording the sounds of the different insects to create a “pollinator symphony” sound recording that will accompany the visual artworks. Data gathered will be submitted to national pollinator monitoring scheme.

Saturday July 12th

Dodder Walkshop 1: Leave the clutter of urban sprawl to reconnect with nature and myth as inspiration for poetry

Itinerary: Kiltipper Park to Boharnabreehna Reservoir and back.

View itinerary HERE

Writing to take place in Kiltipper Nursing Home

Meeting point :Kiltipper Woods Care Centre

Time: 11 am - 1.30 pm

Saturday July 19th

Dodder Walkshop 2: Unlocking the symbolic potential of the Dodder in flow through an urban context.

Itinerary: The Dodder Waterfall to Balrothery Weir to the EDGE café

View itinerary HERE

Writing in The Edge Café

Meeting point : AHERNS PUB

Time: 11 am - 1.30 pm

Saturday July 26th

Dodder Walkshop 3: Following the Whitestown Stream to Balrothery Weir,explore the intertwining role of tributaries and the folk histroy of Tallaght.

Writing in The Edge Café

Itinerary: the Whitestown Stream to Balrothery Weir to the EDGE café

View itinerary HERE

Writing in the Edge Café

Meeting point : Maldron Hotel, Tallaght

Time: 11 am - 1.30 pm

Colm Keegan

The seven bodies of water we are studying in CATCHMENTS 2025:

  1. •The Liffey Head Bog in County Wicklow

  2. •The Dodder River in South Dublin County

  3. •The Boyne River in County Meath

  4. •Lough Muckno in County Monaghan

  5. •The ‘old’ River Shannon at University of Limerick

  6. •The Ballymacraven River at Ennistymon, Co. Clare

  7. •The Lee Fields by the Weir and the Old Cork Waterworks in Cork City

11am - 1:30pm

Saturday 12th July


11am - 1:30pm

Saturday 19th July


11am - 1:30pm

Saturday 26th July