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.

Woodland Symposium – Five 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.

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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 April 2023 & exhibition at Galway Arts Centre December 2023

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

Woodland Symposium October 2022

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

Woodland Symposium November 2021

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

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 Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Arts Council of Ireland.

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