Dinnseanchas is an evolving durational dialogical art project rooted in rural upland communities in the West of Ireland and inspired by the word ‘dinnseanchas’ meaning the stories a place is telling. Through art and participatory creative practice, Dinnseanchas creates space to explore future possibilities for places by holding difficult conversations about climate change, biodiversity loss, and the social and economic pressures currently shaping rural life.
Dinnseanchas was initiated by Hometree, the nature-restoration charity based in the West of Ireland, working to establish and restore resilient habitats, focusing on native temperate rainforests.
During 2026 with the support of an Arts Council touring grant, Dinnseanchas on Tour will be visiting four locations on the Western Seaboard: West Cork; Iveragh, Co Kerry; Ennis, Co Clare; Inisbofin, Co Galway.The first leg of this is a four day residency as part of Skibbereen Arts Festival, supported by Creative Places West Cork Islands and Uillinn West Cork Art Centre.
At the heart of the residency is An Scioból in the Courtyard Gallery @ Uillinn, where Dinnseanchas will present an interactive exhibition of images, film and artefacts collected over a year-long programme that took place in upland locations from Gartan in Donegal to Borlin and the Coomhla Valley in West Cork. Radiating from An Scioból are the spokes of Dinnseanchas, events happening in An Scioból, around town, in the hinterland and on Bere Island.
An Scioból: Wed 29th July – Sat 1st Aug. 10.00am – 16.30pm. Admission free
An Scioból (the hub) is a photographic exhibition and an immersive, site-responsive record of The Dinnseanchas Project thus far, incorporating artefacts such as wool, tools, maps, field recordings and other objects connected to upland life and land practices. It is also a place of exchange, hosting workshops, talks and open conversations.
Among the work being presented in An Scioból are Net(work), an experimental social sculpture conceived by artist William Bock that explores collective ritual and shared work as ‘tools’ to restoration, both cultural and ecological, and The Little Library of Lyreacrompane by Living Rhythms (Heather Griffin and Patrick Mulvihill), a token of appreciation to upland community of Lyreacrompane in North Kerry and their sustained efforts to keep the stories of their place alive for future generations.
Scheduled events @ An Scioból
Wed 29 July. 11.30am - Artist talk – guest artist in conversation with a Dinnseanchas artist.
Wed 29. 3pm - An Cailleach a performance lecture by artist/anthropologist Jennifer Ahern: The Cailleach, our deepest lore of place and most mysterious deity, requires that we listen closer to the stories shaping our world and choices. This talk looks at why transformation to a more regenerative society is not just about planting more trees but also requires a shift in perspective, mindset and belief.
Thurs 30 July. 11.30am – guest artist in conversation with a Dinnseanchas artist.
Thurs 30. 3pm – Utterly Butterly: The path to a regenerative and more sustainable future is complex artists Zoë Rush and Jennifer Ahern will lead a creative and participatory workshop using a Systems Thinking framework, exploring complexity, farming and sustainable food systems through butter!
Sat 1 August.11.30am: Artists exchange hosted by Roisin Foley