Eco Showboat CATCHMENTS 2025

Scientists from across Ireland (Mary Kelly Quinn, Dolores Byrne, Niall O’Brolchain, Margaret McCaul…) introduced us and our audiences to the problems of invasive and endangered species, damaged bogs, pollution and flooding, and to the biology and chemistry that connects these waterbodies to our own bodies.

Now the School of Looking team plan to carry the Eco Showboat work further, deepening our engagement with water in Ireland and building on what we learned in the first journey, to deliver 7 art/science festivals across the country, each celebrating a unique aquatic environment with specific challenges:
—a bog in the process of rewetting
—a habitat for endangered species
—a habitat for migratory species
—a pristine stream
—a flood zone
—a waterbody damaged by man-made barriers
—a place where pure and soiled water co-exist

Each festival, co-created with local artist(s), environmental group(s) and LAWPRO, includes:
—a site specific ‘citizen science’ activity
—an encounter with a scientist engaged in the context
—a walk
—an artistic activity
—a debate
—a festive event.

The objective is to raise public understanding of the challenges facing the environment, imagine ways that society can respond, and spark actions to repair environments.