Woodland & Ecology

The hatchery building is surrounded by 37 acres of Sitka Spruce forest. It has long been the vision of the landlord to restore this barren, monocultural forest to native woodland, with a preference for continuous cover. In 2018 an application was made for a felling license, in order to initiate this process. In the meantime, Interface has initiated several projects in which artistic interventions reflect on this exciting project and the ecological change. It is envisaged that the projects will evolve with the gradually changing evolution of the ecology and the healing of the land.

Springhill Trust - In 2022, the project gained the support of the Springhill Trust. This has enabled Interface to give immediate attention to supporting the regeneration of the lake edges. We have assigned a dedicated team to manage the replanting of native species and to support nature's own natural regeneration processes, protecting oak saplings from bruising by deer and sheep.

Woodland Symposium – A team of artists have been invited to reflect on the planned restoration of Sitka Spruce to native woodland. They are being led by ecologist Marie Louise Heffernan and archaeologist Michael Gibbons. The intention of the project is to initiate a slow-art response with longevity, which will evolve with the slowly changing ecology of the site. The group of artists will return year on year, with artists dipping in and out over the years.

ATU Connemara - Since 2021, Interface has been partnering biannually with ATU Connemara to deliver interventions by the students in the forest environment. The involves the students engaging with designer Peter Sheehan as well as with one of the international artists in residence at Interface.

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ATU Connemara at Interface - October 2022

Led by Jeremy Madden and Peter Sheehan, the students designed and built simple 3-legged stools outdoors at the hatchery facility.

In association with Conamara Sea Week

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Woodland Symposium

Brett Sroka | Christine Mackey | Linda Schirmer | Noelle Gallagher | Sarah Roseingrave | Helena Doyle

To date the woodland symposium team have met three times, in November 2021, October 2022 & April 2023 & the group will take  stand at IMMA's Earth Rising festival, September 2023 and exhibit their work to date in an exhibition at the Galway Arts Centre in December 2023

Photo credits: Aoife Herriott

Cothú - in association with GMIT Letterfrack - October 2021

Led by Jeremy Madden, the 4th year students of GMIT Letterfrack furniture college were invited to design and construct shelter for oak saplings. The saplings have grown from acorns planted by the jay, most likely transported from the Derryclare ancient oak forest across the lake from the hatchery. They are vulnerable to grazing by sheep and deer. The purpose of the structures is to protect the saplings from grazing while allowing enough light through in order for them to thrive. The students were encouraged to find and forage for a successful solution to the problem at hand and to use materials that were in the woods.

Photos: Aoife Herriott

ANAM - in association with GMIT Letterfrack - March 2022

Led by Peter Sheehan, the1st year students of GMIT Letterfrack furniture college were invited to design and construct benches for Interface. They created a beautiful seating area close to the lake edge. Following this they worked with Peter to make skeletal, 'currach-like' structures with hazel rods. These sculptures were installed in the lake edge.

 

Photos: Aoife Herriott

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This project is kindly supported by the Springhill Trust, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Arts Council of Ireland. In 2003 the Springhill Trust was established as a registered charity. The principal aims of the trust are: To provide effective, constructive and involved support, both financial and otherwise, to children and families in need; to encourage and support projects that enrich the communities to which they belong. To-date significant funds have been provided for projects both in Africa and in Ireland. Please follow the link above if you would like to find out more information, or support the efforts of the trust.

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