Reconnecting with nature
Eco Showboat
Eco Showboat Expedition 2022-2023
The Eco Showboat, a solar powered electric boat and floating work of art, toured the Irish rivers and canals for two years, criss-crossing the Irish midlands, connecting artists, scientists and communities with the aim of sparking widespread environmental action through artistic creation, trans-disciplinary collaborations and science workshops.
EU Member State, Western Balkans or Ukraine
Ireland
Regional
Midlands, including the Counties Offaly, Laois, Longford, Westmeath, and Roscommon, as well as the additional Municipal Districts of Ballinasloe in County Galway and Athy in County Kildare.
No
Yes
Ireland- Midlands
Mainly rural
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Yes
2023-09-23
No
No
No
As a representative of an organisation
Our aim was to ignite environmental action, addressing freshwater ecology and biodiversity loss by travelling on a solar powered boat on the Irish inland waterways and, through meetings with scientists and engagement with artists, to encourage and empower communities to take creative action. 22 artworks were commissioned by the project, involving 42 local (or locally engaged) artists from many creative disciplines.
We hoped to reach diverse communities: urban and rural; socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged groups; children, families and older adults.
Our objectives were:
— to transform a recycled boat to a solar-electric vessel and a work of art.
— to embark on a two year expedition across the inland waterways.
— to develop and deliver an inclusive trans-disciplinary programme addressing freshwater ecology and biodiversity loss.
— to commission artworks from local artists engaging with ecology at a local level.
— to found our project on science and to bring major figures from the academic and research world to talk with local people about ecology and the climate crisis.
— to collaborate with local stakeholders and activists to embed events in communities.
— to prioritise areas under-engaged with climate science.
Outputs and outcomes.
— We delivered 172 public engagement activities: 33 exhibitions, 28 workshops, 22 seminars, 66 talks, 17 performances, 6 projections.
— We commissioned 22 artwork from 42 local or locally engaged artists.
— We generated significant social media activity - around our expeditions and the issues it raised - on four major platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin) as well as maintaining a website and a blog.
— We produced 123 videos, visible on our Youtube and Vimeo channels.
Direct audiences included 13 162 people, with many more impacted through social media, national and regional media coverage.
We hoped to reach diverse communities: urban and rural; socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged groups; children, families and older adults.
Our objectives were:
— to transform a recycled boat to a solar-electric vessel and a work of art.
— to embark on a two year expedition across the inland waterways.
— to develop and deliver an inclusive trans-disciplinary programme addressing freshwater ecology and biodiversity loss.
— to commission artworks from local artists engaging with ecology at a local level.
— to found our project on science and to bring major figures from the academic and research world to talk with local people about ecology and the climate crisis.
— to collaborate with local stakeholders and activists to embed events in communities.
— to prioritise areas under-engaged with climate science.
Outputs and outcomes.
— We delivered 172 public engagement activities: 33 exhibitions, 28 workshops, 22 seminars, 66 talks, 17 performances, 6 projections.
— We commissioned 22 artwork from 42 local or locally engaged artists.
— We generated significant social media activity - around our expeditions and the issues it raised - on four major platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin) as well as maintaining a website and a blog.
— We produced 123 videos, visible on our Youtube and Vimeo channels.
Direct audiences included 13 162 people, with many more impacted through social media, national and regional media coverage.
Climate
Biodiversity
Energy
Water
Community
IRELAND'S MAIN SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES:
— water quality
— biodiversity loss
— sustainable energy
— farming
— invasive species
— peatlands restoration
Our key objective was to sow the seeds for community action on these issues.
WATER QUALITY
— We hosted workshops showing macroinvertebtrates from local rivers.
— We commissioned several artworks focusing on fresh water issues: Mesocosms by Leitrim artist Christine Mackey; Aven by Roscommon artist Padraig Cunningham…
— We hosted a series of talks by community water officers (LAWPRO) about water quality issues.
BIODIVERSITY LOSS
— We hosted a series of Slow Looking (biodiversity observation) workshops.
— We commissioned several artworks on biodiversity: Ephemera by Leitrim artist Anna Macleod; The Mayfly Flag by Deirdre Power & Chelsea Canavan…
— We hosted a series of talks by experts: Dr Mary Kelly Quinn - the Mayfly; Dr. Dolores Byrne - Extinction of Irish Plant Species…
INVASIVE SPECIES
— We brought our public on several riverside walks to spot invasive species (Himalayan Balsam, Japanese Knotweed, Zebra mussels…)
— We hosted a series of talks by experts: Dan Minchin: Non Native Species on the Shannon and Erne; Dave Wall: Dragonflies & Damselflies…
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
The Eco Showboat itself is a sustainable energy demonstration.
FARMING
We hosted a series of talks with organic farmers: Tommy Earley, organic farmer in Roscommon; Dolores Byrne, organic farmer in Leitrim…
PEATLANDS RESTORATION
Niall Ó Brolcháin, NUI/EU expert on peatland restoration, spoke at several events.
Our project is exemplary because it promotes:
— protection of natural ecosystems.
— sustainable practices and lifestyles.
— hands-on learning and face to face encounters with scientists and activists.
— good practices that lead to cleaner water and habitat regeneration.
— the establishment of an interconnected network of people throughout the region devoted to ecological action.
— water quality
— biodiversity loss
— sustainable energy
— farming
— invasive species
— peatlands restoration
Our key objective was to sow the seeds for community action on these issues.
WATER QUALITY
— We hosted workshops showing macroinvertebtrates from local rivers.
— We commissioned several artworks focusing on fresh water issues: Mesocosms by Leitrim artist Christine Mackey; Aven by Roscommon artist Padraig Cunningham…
— We hosted a series of talks by community water officers (LAWPRO) about water quality issues.
BIODIVERSITY LOSS
— We hosted a series of Slow Looking (biodiversity observation) workshops.
— We commissioned several artworks on biodiversity: Ephemera by Leitrim artist Anna Macleod; The Mayfly Flag by Deirdre Power & Chelsea Canavan…
— We hosted a series of talks by experts: Dr Mary Kelly Quinn - the Mayfly; Dr. Dolores Byrne - Extinction of Irish Plant Species…
INVASIVE SPECIES
— We brought our public on several riverside walks to spot invasive species (Himalayan Balsam, Japanese Knotweed, Zebra mussels…)
— We hosted a series of talks by experts: Dan Minchin: Non Native Species on the Shannon and Erne; Dave Wall: Dragonflies & Damselflies…
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
The Eco Showboat itself is a sustainable energy demonstration.
FARMING
We hosted a series of talks with organic farmers: Tommy Earley, organic farmer in Roscommon; Dolores Byrne, organic farmer in Leitrim…
PEATLANDS RESTORATION
Niall Ó Brolcháin, NUI/EU expert on peatland restoration, spoke at several events.
Our project is exemplary because it promotes:
— protection of natural ecosystems.
— sustainable practices and lifestyles.
— hands-on learning and face to face encounters with scientists and activists.
— good practices that lead to cleaner water and habitat regeneration.
— the establishment of an interconnected network of people throughout the region devoted to ecological action.
OUR KEY DESIGN OBJECTIVES:
— to recycle a boat into an exciting floating solar-electric platform remarkable for its innovative sustainable energy design.
— to design the boat as a colourful beacon to attract attention and help spread our ecological message.
— to design an outdoor pop-up space that can be erected and demounted rapidly and provide a comfortable setting for small group workshops and projections.
VESSEL AS ARTWORK
We transformed a light-weight used yacht to a fully electric boat, in line with the principals of the circular economy. The result was a multi-disciplinary design, combining:
— an innovative and economical solar-electric design with a solar canopy, an aeolian sculpture, a battery bank and two electric motors beneath and behind the boat.
— the hull and deck painted as an avant-garde inspired artwork to announce the revolutionary nature of climate action.
— an interactive work of sound-art taking data from incoming sun and wind energy to generating a soundscape expressing sustainable energy in a more sensory way.
POP-UP SPACE: A REVOLUTIONARY DESIGN
Built around a projection screen and performance space, composed of repurposed parasols and supported on a minimal lightweight frame of polycarbonate and aluminium, the Pangolin Pavilion was described by UL Civil Engineering Professor Tom Cosgrove as “quite revolutionary”. Each time it is assembled the Pangolin Pavilion takes a slightly different form, adapting to the site, to the weather and to the event planned. Designing the pavilion as a team involved unique engineering and aesthetic considerations. It was designed:
— to be erected and demounted rapidly
— to resist wind and provide shelter
— to provide a comfortable setting for small group workshops and projections
— to be sustainable and economical, using repurposed and recycled material
— to create an exciting, dynamic and revolutionary venue for Eco Showboat events.
— to recycle a boat into an exciting floating solar-electric platform remarkable for its innovative sustainable energy design.
— to design the boat as a colourful beacon to attract attention and help spread our ecological message.
— to design an outdoor pop-up space that can be erected and demounted rapidly and provide a comfortable setting for small group workshops and projections.
VESSEL AS ARTWORK
We transformed a light-weight used yacht to a fully electric boat, in line with the principals of the circular economy. The result was a multi-disciplinary design, combining:
— an innovative and economical solar-electric design with a solar canopy, an aeolian sculpture, a battery bank and two electric motors beneath and behind the boat.
— the hull and deck painted as an avant-garde inspired artwork to announce the revolutionary nature of climate action.
— an interactive work of sound-art taking data from incoming sun and wind energy to generating a soundscape expressing sustainable energy in a more sensory way.
POP-UP SPACE: A REVOLUTIONARY DESIGN
Built around a projection screen and performance space, composed of repurposed parasols and supported on a minimal lightweight frame of polycarbonate and aluminium, the Pangolin Pavilion was described by UL Civil Engineering Professor Tom Cosgrove as “quite revolutionary”. Each time it is assembled the Pangolin Pavilion takes a slightly different form, adapting to the site, to the weather and to the event planned. Designing the pavilion as a team involved unique engineering and aesthetic considerations. It was designed:
— to be erected and demounted rapidly
— to resist wind and provide shelter
— to provide a comfortable setting for small group workshops and projections
— to be sustainable and economical, using repurposed and recycled material
— to create an exciting, dynamic and revolutionary venue for Eco Showboat events.
CLIMATE SCIENCE THROUGH THE ARTS
Environmental issues are often considered less accessible to those without a scientific education. Our strategy of engaging with climate science through the arts was a way of overcoming this misunderstanding. Conversely, an art project founded on science rassures many people who don’t consider that art speaks to them.
Beyond this universalism, we also engaged to make our events more accessible by:
— making them free.
— setting up events in places where people are under engaged with climate science.
— co-creating with communities as much as possible.
— including music and refreshments (usually at the end).
QUAYSIDE INTERACTION
As our expedition advanced, we noted certain patterns:
— Many people go to waterside locations at weekends (and especially in summer).
— The slow speed of our boat (walking pace) was important, allowing people to engage with us even as we navigated. Children especially greeted the Eco Showboat’s arrival, like the circus coming to town.
— People easily engaged in conversation with us on quaysides, asking about the boat’s remarkable design.
Using these patterns we engaged with many hundreds of passers-by, taking the opportunity to publicize our events and demonstrate the boat and our solar installation.
MIDLANDS TOWNS AND VILLAGES
We also made specific efforts to reach places not directly on our route, taking smaller rivers to reach market towns such as Ballinasloe in County Galway or Boyle in County Roscommon. The waterways gave us access to towns and villages like Pollagh, Banagher or Drumshanbo with quite limited cultural life. Many of these disenfranchised towns and villages were built around the waterways in the industrial era, and the watersides still offer generous public space which draws many local people.
These diverse strategies for engaging community have proved effective, and we will certainly build on these models of engagement for future projects.
Environmental issues are often considered less accessible to those without a scientific education. Our strategy of engaging with climate science through the arts was a way of overcoming this misunderstanding. Conversely, an art project founded on science rassures many people who don’t consider that art speaks to them.
Beyond this universalism, we also engaged to make our events more accessible by:
— making them free.
— setting up events in places where people are under engaged with climate science.
— co-creating with communities as much as possible.
— including music and refreshments (usually at the end).
QUAYSIDE INTERACTION
As our expedition advanced, we noted certain patterns:
— Many people go to waterside locations at weekends (and especially in summer).
— The slow speed of our boat (walking pace) was important, allowing people to engage with us even as we navigated. Children especially greeted the Eco Showboat’s arrival, like the circus coming to town.
— People easily engaged in conversation with us on quaysides, asking about the boat’s remarkable design.
Using these patterns we engaged with many hundreds of passers-by, taking the opportunity to publicize our events and demonstrate the boat and our solar installation.
MIDLANDS TOWNS AND VILLAGES
We also made specific efforts to reach places not directly on our route, taking smaller rivers to reach market towns such as Ballinasloe in County Galway or Boyle in County Roscommon. The waterways gave us access to towns and villages like Pollagh, Banagher or Drumshanbo with quite limited cultural life. Many of these disenfranchised towns and villages were built around the waterways in the industrial era, and the watersides still offer generous public space which draws many local people.
These diverse strategies for engaging community have proved effective, and we will certainly build on these models of engagement for future projects.
We worked with schools, with libraries, with arts centres, with community groups and other local organisations to deliver events. These collaborations were rich and diverse. For example:
— In Boyle, County Roscommon our collaborating artist Anna MacCloud worked with Cootehall National School to make a giant model of the lifecycle of the Mayfly. The children gained artistic skills and scientific knowledge. They met Dr Mary Kelly Quinn, authority on the Mayfly. Their sculpture was exhibited on the banks of Lough Key to hundreds of people, increasing confidence and pride in their work.
— In Dromineer, County Leitrim our collaborating artist Christine Mackey worked with a gardening group to build floating islands with indigenous plants in willow baskets. The participants gained artistic skills and scientific knowledge, and took part in workshops leading to increased social cohesion.
— In Pollagh County Offaly, the Heritage Group liaised with us to design the event in their village, advising on locations, contributing material for a display, choosing artwork, preparing sustainable refreshments. The community benefitted through increased public awareness of water quality and biodiversity loss in their area, and increased community resolve to undertake action.
— In Vicarstown, County Laois, we connected with SVT Canoe and Kayak Club about the epidemic of weeds in the canal, brought on by warm conditions. It is almost impossible to navigate here at certain times of year, and it was a huge problem for the Eco Showboat. We brought up the matter at our event, which generated a passionate debate, resulting in a group coming together to address the problem.
These are just a few examples of the invaluable contribution civil society played in the EcoShowboat project, always varied, but in every case the project had a strong impact, often educational and often increasing social cohesion and resolve in the face of climate change.
— In Boyle, County Roscommon our collaborating artist Anna MacCloud worked with Cootehall National School to make a giant model of the lifecycle of the Mayfly. The children gained artistic skills and scientific knowledge. They met Dr Mary Kelly Quinn, authority on the Mayfly. Their sculpture was exhibited on the banks of Lough Key to hundreds of people, increasing confidence and pride in their work.
— In Dromineer, County Leitrim our collaborating artist Christine Mackey worked with a gardening group to build floating islands with indigenous plants in willow baskets. The participants gained artistic skills and scientific knowledge, and took part in workshops leading to increased social cohesion.
— In Pollagh County Offaly, the Heritage Group liaised with us to design the event in their village, advising on locations, contributing material for a display, choosing artwork, preparing sustainable refreshments. The community benefitted through increased public awareness of water quality and biodiversity loss in their area, and increased community resolve to undertake action.
— In Vicarstown, County Laois, we connected with SVT Canoe and Kayak Club about the epidemic of weeds in the canal, brought on by warm conditions. It is almost impossible to navigate here at certain times of year, and it was a huge problem for the Eco Showboat. We brought up the matter at our event, which generated a passionate debate, resulting in a group coming together to address the problem.
These are just a few examples of the invaluable contribution civil society played in the EcoShowboat project, always varied, but in every case the project had a strong impact, often educational and often increasing social cohesion and resolve in the face of climate change.
LOCAL AUTHORITIES
We worked closely with arts and heritage officers of local authorities, who advised us on local artists and ecologists, shared knowledge on sites of ecological interest, provided funding for sections of the programme and provided in-kind support in the form of marketing and PR.
This support was invaluable. As people passing through a community briefly it was essential for us to access local knowledge and resources, without which our programmes would have been so much less relevant, and our audiences reduced.
LAWPRO
Regional stakeholders included the Local Authorities Waters Programme (LAWPRO), who became an important partner, providing support with training, workshop delivery and some funding. LAWPRO's remit is to improve water quality across the country through community action, and much of the knowledge we shared came from LAWPRO, without which our programme would have been much less robust.
NATIONAL FUNDING
National stakeholders included three major funding organisations:
— The Arts Council
— SFI (Science Foundation Ireland)
— Creative Ireland
The largest section of funding came from the Arts Council through the Open Call Award, which allowed us to commission the artists, fund the two year expedition and host 31 public engagement events. SFI funded the science programme through the Discover Award.
Creative Ireland contributed towards arts funding, without which we would have commissioned less artworks.
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH CENTRES
The following universities and SFI research centres provided expertise and sent speakers to many of our events, without which our science programme would have have been much poorer and less varied:
— INSIGHT (Dublin City University)
— AMBER (Trinity College Dublin)
— CURAM (NUI Galway)
— University of Limerick
— Earth Institute (University College Dublin)
— National Biodiversity Data Centre
We worked closely with arts and heritage officers of local authorities, who advised us on local artists and ecologists, shared knowledge on sites of ecological interest, provided funding for sections of the programme and provided in-kind support in the form of marketing and PR.
This support was invaluable. As people passing through a community briefly it was essential for us to access local knowledge and resources, without which our programmes would have been so much less relevant, and our audiences reduced.
LAWPRO
Regional stakeholders included the Local Authorities Waters Programme (LAWPRO), who became an important partner, providing support with training, workshop delivery and some funding. LAWPRO's remit is to improve water quality across the country through community action, and much of the knowledge we shared came from LAWPRO, without which our programme would have been much less robust.
NATIONAL FUNDING
National stakeholders included three major funding organisations:
— The Arts Council
— SFI (Science Foundation Ireland)
— Creative Ireland
The largest section of funding came from the Arts Council through the Open Call Award, which allowed us to commission the artists, fund the two year expedition and host 31 public engagement events. SFI funded the science programme through the Discover Award.
Creative Ireland contributed towards arts funding, without which we would have commissioned less artworks.
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH CENTRES
The following universities and SFI research centres provided expertise and sent speakers to many of our events, without which our science programme would have have been much poorer and less varied:
— INSIGHT (Dublin City University)
— AMBER (Trinity College Dublin)
— CURAM (NUI Galway)
— University of Limerick
— Earth Institute (University College Dublin)
— National Biodiversity Data Centre
BOAT DESIGN
This was a multi-disciplinary design, combining an innovative and economical solar-electric design (solar canopy, battery bank, inboard electric motor) with a hull and deck painted as an avant-garde inspired artwork. This was completed by an interactive work of sound-art using sensors and arduino boards to take data from incoming sun and wind energy and generate a soundscape. The boat became a Gesamtkunstwerk navigating the Irish inland waterways.
POP-UP SPACE
Described by UL Civil Engineering Professor Tom Cosgrove as “quite revolutionary”, the Pangolin Pavilion was designed by a team of engineers, architects and artists responding to unique engineering and aesthetic considerations. We used repurposed and recycling material to create an exciting, dynamic and revolutionary venue.
ART COMMISSIONS
A boat expedition is a slow journey - slow enough to observe the world, but not slow enough to understand all the problems and possibilities of the communities and environments we were passing through. This was the reason why, at each port of call, we commissioned work from artists with a keen knowledge of the local environment and the local community. The resulting body of work - site interventions, installations, graphic design, sculpture, performances, sound-art, video - is perhaps the greatest legacy of the project. There were three categories of artist:
— Well established eco-artists like Christine Mackey, Deirdre O’Mahony or Anna Macleod.
— Younger artists like Kerrie O’Leary, Earthman Bob and Emily Miller who we introduced to the public.
— Immigrant artists like Anna Tanvir, Maninder Singh and Marta Golubovska - keen to integrate in their chosen region and with a wealth of experience to share.
SCIENCE WORKSHOPS
We invited ecologists, geographers, marine biologists, botanists, engineers, historians, speleologists, geologists and teachers to participate in the elaboration and delivery of the programme.
This was a multi-disciplinary design, combining an innovative and economical solar-electric design (solar canopy, battery bank, inboard electric motor) with a hull and deck painted as an avant-garde inspired artwork. This was completed by an interactive work of sound-art using sensors and arduino boards to take data from incoming sun and wind energy and generate a soundscape. The boat became a Gesamtkunstwerk navigating the Irish inland waterways.
POP-UP SPACE
Described by UL Civil Engineering Professor Tom Cosgrove as “quite revolutionary”, the Pangolin Pavilion was designed by a team of engineers, architects and artists responding to unique engineering and aesthetic considerations. We used repurposed and recycling material to create an exciting, dynamic and revolutionary venue.
ART COMMISSIONS
A boat expedition is a slow journey - slow enough to observe the world, but not slow enough to understand all the problems and possibilities of the communities and environments we were passing through. This was the reason why, at each port of call, we commissioned work from artists with a keen knowledge of the local environment and the local community. The resulting body of work - site interventions, installations, graphic design, sculpture, performances, sound-art, video - is perhaps the greatest legacy of the project. There were three categories of artist:
— Well established eco-artists like Christine Mackey, Deirdre O’Mahony or Anna Macleod.
— Younger artists like Kerrie O’Leary, Earthman Bob and Emily Miller who we introduced to the public.
— Immigrant artists like Anna Tanvir, Maninder Singh and Marta Golubovska - keen to integrate in their chosen region and with a wealth of experience to share.
SCIENCE WORKSHOPS
We invited ecologists, geographers, marine biologists, botanists, engineers, historians, speleologists, geologists and teachers to participate in the elaboration and delivery of the programme.
DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES
The midland regions of Ireland are crossed by the rivers and canals of the inland waterways, including disenfranchised communities that are socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged. Climate change, water quality and biodiversity loss disproportionally affect disadvantaged communities, and events addressing ecology often fail to reach these, mobilising only those already convinced of the core message. The Eco Showboat was an innovative strategy to reach these communities.
SLOW TOURING
Our approach was to travel to these communities using the inland waterways. We devised a "slow" method of engagement to maximise encounters:
— Navigating on a vessel designed to be attractive and unintimidating, a visible demonstration of sustainable energy in action.
— Travelling (at walking speed) along greenways, much frequented by the midlands public.
— Hosting a series of free, friendly and accessible "eco shows" that blurred the line between entertainment and pedagogy.
MANY VOICES
We brought many voices into the engagement process (artists, scientists, academics, activists, community workers, farmers…) to deliver a hybrid programme integrating many different ideas and ways of engaging, juxtaposing science with visual art, music, song, theatre and food, and providing events for all ages, to attract as wide and diverse audience as possible.
AGENCY
The programme was delivered by artists and scientists with formidable national and international profiles, but was strongly rooted in the local environment in which each public event took place. We did everything to make the programme attractive and accessible to all, using the arts as a tool for harnessing creativity and community activism into climate action, and facilitating conversations about urgent environmental questions in a way that gives agency to the community.
The midland regions of Ireland are crossed by the rivers and canals of the inland waterways, including disenfranchised communities that are socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged. Climate change, water quality and biodiversity loss disproportionally affect disadvantaged communities, and events addressing ecology often fail to reach these, mobilising only those already convinced of the core message. The Eco Showboat was an innovative strategy to reach these communities.
SLOW TOURING
Our approach was to travel to these communities using the inland waterways. We devised a "slow" method of engagement to maximise encounters:
— Navigating on a vessel designed to be attractive and unintimidating, a visible demonstration of sustainable energy in action.
— Travelling (at walking speed) along greenways, much frequented by the midlands public.
— Hosting a series of free, friendly and accessible "eco shows" that blurred the line between entertainment and pedagogy.
MANY VOICES
We brought many voices into the engagement process (artists, scientists, academics, activists, community workers, farmers…) to deliver a hybrid programme integrating many different ideas and ways of engaging, juxtaposing science with visual art, music, song, theatre and food, and providing events for all ages, to attract as wide and diverse audience as possible.
AGENCY
The programme was delivered by artists and scientists with formidable national and international profiles, but was strongly rooted in the local environment in which each public event took place. We did everything to make the programme attractive and accessible to all, using the arts as a tool for harnessing creativity and community activism into climate action, and facilitating conversations about urgent environmental questions in a way that gives agency to the community.
We took a methodical step-by-step approach to delivering a wide reaching and engaging programme to as many people as possible, using the following methodology:
— We fitted out a vessel as a solar electric craft capable of navigating the Shannon, the Erne, the Grand Canal and the Barrow using only solar power.
— We designed a pop-up space, the Pangolin Pavilion, an outdoor projection space made from repurposed beach parasols.
— We launched the Eco Showboat at the Hunt Museum in Limerick in spring 2022 and navigated slowly northeast across the midlands, following a carefully managed schedule of quayside events.
— In 2022, we travelled south to north along the Shannon and Erne waterways.
— In 2023, we undertook a similar journey to the east - along the Shannon, Grand Canal and Barrow
— During the two-year expedition, the Eco Showboat team hosted 31 public engagement events in 15 different counties, attracting audiences in excess of 13,000 people.
— These events were collaborations with local artists, scientists and community activists. We invited all members of the local community.
— The public was received in the Pangolin Pavilion or at a community venue.
— At each of these events, the programme included a work by at least one local artist engaging with environmental issues.
— The team included a marine biologist, Rachel O’Malley, who presented a “kick-sample”, showing macroinvertebrates from the bed of a local river to the public and talking about particular problems to do with water quality and biodiversity in local freshwater environments.
— At most of the events, the team was joined by a scientist who gave a talk about a local or global environmental issue or by the local LAWPRO officer who spoke about water quality.
— The solar-electric boat was on public exhibition on quaysides, on the day of the event and for several days before and after, in the presence of the artists.
— We fitted out a vessel as a solar electric craft capable of navigating the Shannon, the Erne, the Grand Canal and the Barrow using only solar power.
— We designed a pop-up space, the Pangolin Pavilion, an outdoor projection space made from repurposed beach parasols.
— We launched the Eco Showboat at the Hunt Museum in Limerick in spring 2022 and navigated slowly northeast across the midlands, following a carefully managed schedule of quayside events.
— In 2022, we travelled south to north along the Shannon and Erne waterways.
— In 2023, we undertook a similar journey to the east - along the Shannon, Grand Canal and Barrow
— During the two-year expedition, the Eco Showboat team hosted 31 public engagement events in 15 different counties, attracting audiences in excess of 13,000 people.
— These events were collaborations with local artists, scientists and community activists. We invited all members of the local community.
— The public was received in the Pangolin Pavilion or at a community venue.
— At each of these events, the programme included a work by at least one local artist engaging with environmental issues.
— The team included a marine biologist, Rachel O’Malley, who presented a “kick-sample”, showing macroinvertebrates from the bed of a local river to the public and talking about particular problems to do with water quality and biodiversity in local freshwater environments.
— At most of the events, the team was joined by a scientist who gave a talk about a local or global environmental issue or by the local LAWPRO officer who spoke about water quality.
— The solar-electric boat was on public exhibition on quaysides, on the day of the event and for several days before and after, in the presence of the artists.
SOLAR ELECTRIC BOAT
Many of the people who came to see the boat on the quayside were interested in the energy fit out and discussed fitting out their own boat in a similar way, to adapt the system for a larger boat and even to apply the same logic to their home. Our solar canopy in particular provoked a lot of discussion, especially as it is economical, simple to reproduce and install - the skills and tools required to install such a system are those possessed by most home DIY enthusiasts.
SLOWNESS
Our methods of social engagement - slow touring - has been an extremely effective way to engage. We spent four months travelling across a region that motorists cross in an afternoon. There was something heroic in the slowness of it all that caught people’s imagination.
GATHERING SPEED
The interest in the project has been growing incrementally over the two years of the expedition, with a report on RTE’s Nationwide in 2022 and a full page article in the Irish Times in 2023. The innovative journey on a solar-electric boat - touring multiple inland waterways, rivers and lakes with the pop-up Pangolin Pavilion - has proven to be most inspirational for an Irish public ever more concerned by environmental issues. This successful strategy could certainly be replicated in other EU regions.
THE FUTURE
Throughout the programme we ourselves learned a huge amount about the various ecological challenges facing Ireland, and we passed on much of this learning during events and through the project blog. We are continuing to write and edit material for the expedition which will provide valuable opportunities to transfer this learning to other groups. We are considering how we will work with the momentum we have gained, possibly developing a project for the sea.
Many of the people who came to see the boat on the quayside were interested in the energy fit out and discussed fitting out their own boat in a similar way, to adapt the system for a larger boat and even to apply the same logic to their home. Our solar canopy in particular provoked a lot of discussion, especially as it is economical, simple to reproduce and install - the skills and tools required to install such a system are those possessed by most home DIY enthusiasts.
SLOWNESS
Our methods of social engagement - slow touring - has been an extremely effective way to engage. We spent four months travelling across a region that motorists cross in an afternoon. There was something heroic in the slowness of it all that caught people’s imagination.
GATHERING SPEED
The interest in the project has been growing incrementally over the two years of the expedition, with a report on RTE’s Nationwide in 2022 and a full page article in the Irish Times in 2023. The innovative journey on a solar-electric boat - touring multiple inland waterways, rivers and lakes with the pop-up Pangolin Pavilion - has proven to be most inspirational for an Irish public ever more concerned by environmental issues. This successful strategy could certainly be replicated in other EU regions.
THE FUTURE
Throughout the programme we ourselves learned a huge amount about the various ecological challenges facing Ireland, and we passed on much of this learning during events and through the project blog. We are continuing to write and edit material for the expedition which will provide valuable opportunities to transfer this learning to other groups. We are considering how we will work with the momentum we have gained, possibly developing a project for the sea.
FRESH WATER
Fresh water only makes up around 2% of the water on the planet. Of that 2%, only 0.5% - so, one ten-thousandth of all the water on the planet - is surface water in the form of reservoirs, lakes, wetlands, rivers and canals. As the atmosphere warms up, more of this water will evaporate into the air. More moisture in the air will bring violent, torrential rainfall, flooding the land, eroding soil, damaging crops and infrastructure, before finding its way rapidly to the sea - where it ceases to be fresh.
SLOWING THE CYCLE
The crucial battle will be to slow down the air/land/sea water-cycle that distils fresh water from the salt sea, distributes it over the land and lets it percolate slowly back to the coast. But instead we see this cycle accelerating. The faster the water gets back to the sea, the more damage it does to the land. The longer the water can be kept inland - in liquid form and on the surface preferably - the more good it does for the land and for the planet.
LOCAL CONSERVATION
On a local level, we have been encouraging Irish people to conserve and protect water, by making changes to their own behaviour. Our society needs more and more fresh water and there will inevitably be more and more droughts. The inevitable decline of groundwater is something that we can’t do much about. But we can manage and develop surface water, and in particular our inland waterways - reservoirs, lakes, canals and rivers - which will play a crucial role in making the greatest use of the fresh water that remains.
BIODIVERSITY LOSS
Ireland has one of the worst records with regard to biodiversity loss on the planet, with more than half Irish native plant species in decline, and 85% of EU protected habitats in Ireland reported as being in unfavourable status (Social Justice Ireland). This is a global issue, but once again it can only be remedied on a local level, with people adopting behavioural change in order to protect and conserve biodiversity.
Fresh water only makes up around 2% of the water on the planet. Of that 2%, only 0.5% - so, one ten-thousandth of all the water on the planet - is surface water in the form of reservoirs, lakes, wetlands, rivers and canals. As the atmosphere warms up, more of this water will evaporate into the air. More moisture in the air will bring violent, torrential rainfall, flooding the land, eroding soil, damaging crops and infrastructure, before finding its way rapidly to the sea - where it ceases to be fresh.
SLOWING THE CYCLE
The crucial battle will be to slow down the air/land/sea water-cycle that distils fresh water from the salt sea, distributes it over the land and lets it percolate slowly back to the coast. But instead we see this cycle accelerating. The faster the water gets back to the sea, the more damage it does to the land. The longer the water can be kept inland - in liquid form and on the surface preferably - the more good it does for the land and for the planet.
LOCAL CONSERVATION
On a local level, we have been encouraging Irish people to conserve and protect water, by making changes to their own behaviour. Our society needs more and more fresh water and there will inevitably be more and more droughts. The inevitable decline of groundwater is something that we can’t do much about. But we can manage and develop surface water, and in particular our inland waterways - reservoirs, lakes, canals and rivers - which will play a crucial role in making the greatest use of the fresh water that remains.
BIODIVERSITY LOSS
Ireland has one of the worst records with regard to biodiversity loss on the planet, with more than half Irish native plant species in decline, and 85% of EU protected habitats in Ireland reported as being in unfavourable status (Social Justice Ireland). This is a global issue, but once again it can only be remedied on a local level, with people adopting behavioural change in order to protect and conserve biodiversity.
— We chose the "reconnecting with nature" category as we believe that humanity will only begin to properly address the challenges we are facing when we learn to care for our planet, for water, and for the species who share our home with us.
— We brought over 13 000 people to the waterside. We showed them some of the marvellous little creatures that live under the rocks in our rivers and streams. We brought them for walks along the waterside with artists and scientists to look at and discuss biodiversity.
— We commissioned and exhibited 22 new artworks, many of which focus on an aspect of nature that has been impacted by humanity, supporting a growing realisation of the impact of our behaviour on nature.
— We recorded and edited 123 videos - published on YouTube and Vimeo - looking at the waterways from above and below the water, looking at the life the water supports, and learning as a community about this life through conversation with scientists.
— We maintained a significant online presence on the four major social media platforms - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin - diffusing information, videos and images from our two year expedition, republishing related posts and interacting with followers and peers. We also maintain a website dedicated to the project.
— We wrote and diffused a twice monthly blog recounting our adventures and struggles with nature, to an audience of over 700 followers.
— Our journey was diffused to hundreds of thousands of people on national TV, and we were interviewed dozens of times on regional radio, providing opportunities for us to express our concerns and encourage others to change their habits, reconnect with nature, and join us in a journey to protect the planet together.
— The project is now a subject of a post doctoral thesis at La Villette School of Architecture in Paris.
— We brought over 13 000 people to the waterside. We showed them some of the marvellous little creatures that live under the rocks in our rivers and streams. We brought them for walks along the waterside with artists and scientists to look at and discuss biodiversity.
— We commissioned and exhibited 22 new artworks, many of which focus on an aspect of nature that has been impacted by humanity, supporting a growing realisation of the impact of our behaviour on nature.
— We recorded and edited 123 videos - published on YouTube and Vimeo - looking at the waterways from above and below the water, looking at the life the water supports, and learning as a community about this life through conversation with scientists.
— We maintained a significant online presence on the four major social media platforms - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin - diffusing information, videos and images from our two year expedition, republishing related posts and interacting with followers and peers. We also maintain a website dedicated to the project.
— We wrote and diffused a twice monthly blog recounting our adventures and struggles with nature, to an audience of over 700 followers.
— Our journey was diffused to hundreds of thousands of people on national TV, and we were interviewed dozens of times on regional radio, providing opportunities for us to express our concerns and encourage others to change their habits, reconnect with nature, and join us in a journey to protect the planet together.
— The project is now a subject of a post doctoral thesis at La Villette School of Architecture in Paris.
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