— Sherkin, Heir Island & Oileán Chléire

Leave No (Plastic) Trace

Three afternoon talks and video sessions; one on each of the three islands, Sherkin Island, Oileán Chléire and Heir Island.

The Talks, poetry reading and video session will last for a total of approximately. 3hrs at each of the three venues. They will start at 2 pm and finish at 5 pm at each venue

An Coláiste, Cape Clear Island, August 6
The Boat House, Heir Island August 8
The Common Room, Sherkin North Shore, Sherkin Island, August 11

Light refreshments will be offered to conclude the meeting.
Curated by Sherkin Islander Nuala Mahon

Nuala Mahon

The first presentation features a video detailing Nuala Mahon’s journey towards greater awareness of the detrimental effects of plastic on humans, animals and the environment. This project commenced with a year-long analysis of the plastic she utilised weekly, during which she documented her findings over the 52 weeks of 2020. As COVID-19 emerged, she became increasingly conscious of the plastic debris washing ashore on the beaches of Sherkin, prompting her to pursue sustainable photographic practices, leading her to construct her own cameras from materials such as cardboard, tin cans and eventually recycled wood. Currently she produces pinhole photographs and develops them in seaweed, in addition to creating lumen prints. She plans to showcase her cameras and some of her photographic works during the presentations.

Nollaig Rowan (poet)

Nollaig is an award-winning poet, based part-time on Sherkin Island. She won first prize in poetry at the Dromineer Literary Festival and RTE haiku competition. One of Nollaig’s short stories was made into an award-winning film in 2016, “How Was Your Day”. She is a regular contributor to “Sunday Miscellany” on RTE Radio 1. In January 2025, she won the New Irish Writing poetry award published in the Irish Independent.

Prof Marcel Jansen

There will be a presentation by Prof Marcel Jansen, an ecophysiologist from UCC. He will explain the scientific consequences of overproduction and the use of plastics in our daily lives. Marcel will explain what plastics are and talk about the threats posed by plastic debris in the environment. Marcel will then explain how bigger plastic debris can fragment into micro- and nanoplastics, a process that readily takes place on our beaches. Small micro- and nanoplastics are now everywhere in our environment, including in our food and drinks, and in our own bodies. Marcel will conclude by emphasising the need to reduce plastic production and use, emphasising the role each of us can play in this process.

Tad Kirokwaski

Tad Kirokwaski is the CEO of the Irish environmental NGO The Voice. The Voice is dedicated to empowering individuals and local communities to engage in positive actions for the conservation of our natural resources. Ted will deliver a brief presentation and respond to questions from the audience regarding what measures we can take to reduce plastic consumption. With over 26 years of experience in the area of waste and circular economy, including policy development, public awareness, and outreach, VOICE has become one of the leading environmental charities in Ireland. VOICE advocate for change through grassroots community support and engagement and through policy advocacy and the national and EU levels. We move beyond merely running public awareness events and workshops by asking and helping individuals, communities and businesses to become active participants in achieving sustainable change in their local or business environments. VOICE are active on areas of packaging waste, food waste and textile waste.