Healing the scars of an industrial past

A new climate action arts project aiming to protect and improve the water quality of the Glen River is to be launched in Cork city.

Launching this Friday, Gleann a’ Phúca (Glen of the Spooks) is the brainchild of Cork-based multidisciplinary artist Julie Forrester.

The project will explore the ecology of the valley through six artists’ projects over the course of a year. It aims to raise environmental awareness and promote active citizenship through a programme of creative offerings and activities that nurture a deep and responsible relationship with Glen River Park.

Anyone with an interest in the Glen River Park, including education and environmental outreach groups, community groups, youth leaders, and local schools are invited to attend this Friday’s launch event in the Glen Resource Centre from 10am-2pm.

The event includes a talk and walk in the park with well-known Irish biologist, environmental consultant, author, broadcaster and educator Éanna Ní Lamhna.

The event will also see the launch of the new expanded edition of The Glen River Hidden Valley Booklet.

A workshop led by Artistic Director of Gleann a’ Phúca, Julie Forrester, and Catherine Seale-Duggan of the Local Authority Water Programme, will also take place using the new booklet as a resource.

Speaking in the build up to the launch, Ms Forrester said the project is about connecting to the biodiversity crisis, helping people rethink lifestyles, and ensuring a fair and just transition to sustainable stewardship of the Glen River.

“The health of our water is vital to all life, yet in Ireland we take it for granted,” said Ms Forrester.

“The Glen River valley is an urban parkland with deep generational connections in the community due to its unique industrial history and ecology. This ancient glacial valley still bears the scars of its industrial past.

“The human habit of using our waterways as convenient effluent disposers means that the Glen River, which runs its entire 1,500 metre course through the north east side of the city, undergoes transformations in colour and odour on a daily basis,” she added.

The first two of the six artists’ projects, ‘Ordinary Gifts’ by visual artist Elinor Rivers, and ‘Spoon and Bloom’ by illustrators and animators Annie Mar and Aaron Ross, will commence production following the launch on Friday.

‘Ordinary Gifts' intends to encourage participants to increase their sensitivity, perception, knowledge, and understanding of the life of the river through a series of activities spread over the course of one year.

“Ultimately, the aim is that people will become advocates for the Glen River and rethink what is discharged from their homes as grey water while becoming more aware of local sources of pollution in the river,” said artist Elinor.

A local authority project grant has also enabled the first iteration of Fuaim Mná, a project by artist Ann Dalton which gathers stories of the joys the park has brought to the lives of women whose families have grown up in the area. These will form an audio trail along the walkways between the bridges of the river.

Later in the year, the programme aims to feature projects by musician Brian Leach, sculptor Tom Doig, and artists Sinead Macken and Tony Magner.

Gleann a’ Phúca has been three years in the planning, with combined funding of €56,500 provided by Cork City Council, the Local Authority Water programme, Local Creative Youth Partnership, and Creative Climate Action Fund.