The 2024 Skerries Eco Festival buzzed through Skerries Mills and the Skerries Community Centre last weekend, bringing together the local community, environmental experts, and eco-curious visitors for a weekend packed with activities aimed at highlighting how we can protect and celebrate our planet. Under the theme Turning the Tide TOGETHER, the festival highlighted how simple changes in our everyday lives can make a big impact on nature, and our planet.

There was something for everyone. After the official opening by Minister Joe O’Brien TD at the Launch Night on Friday, Sharon Keilthy, founder of the online eco toy store jiminy.ie, gave us some very useful insights. Who knew that “biodegradable” is actually BAD when it comes to children’s toys… It’s so logical once you think of it. Niamh Burke, author of the Skerries Townpark Biodiversity Action Plan, was our second speaker, and music was once more provided by the fabulous Skerries Ukulele Strummers.

Photos by Kevin McFeely, Fly Media:

On Saturday, early risers enjoyed a peaceful and inspiring bird walk with local BirdWatch man, Cathal Copeland, while nature lovers joined Niamh for a guided tour of the parkland around Skerries Mills. Niamh’s passion for the park’s potential was contagious, as she spoke about how simple tweaks—like mowing less or letting the mill stream meander—could make a world of difference for both nature and the community.

Photos: Evelyn Cottell (2), Sabine McKenna (the others)

We had many great chats as guests at the Skerries Mills Farmers’ Market and were able to draw attention to the other festival events, as well as hand out some information on gardening for nature, eating with the seasons, and the local wildlife.

The “Active Hope” taster workshop with Sarah-Jane Cullinane and Josephine Lynch allowed us to face and honour our worries and fears, before we tuned into our love and appreciation for the natural world, to which we belong, finding sources of strength to do what we can to be part of the collective transition to a society and way of being which protects and nourishes.

But perhaps the standout feature of the festival was its focus on water. Environmental consultant Féidhlim Harty led a fascinating Water Walk, showing how small changes in stormwater management can have a big impact. We were impressed by the spanking new demonstration water butt and rainwater planter at the Old School – fair play to the Sustainable Skerries Water Team and the Skerries Community Centre for getting that ready just in time! For us in a coastal town, slowing down the flow of rainwater during those more and more frequent downpours and thus minimising surface runoff, flooding and associated pollutants (as well as storing water for those more and more frequent droughts) is of particular importance.

Photos: Kevin McFeely, Fly Media (2), Evelyn Cottell (1)

RTÉ’s Philip Boucher-Hayes joined Féidhlim Harty for a well-received night in Skerries Harps. Philip shared his experiences and insights from his recent television documentary series, “Rising Tides”… in a nutshell, there is no time for slacking, we need to act now, for instance regarding coastal erosion and coastal and inland flooding. Féidhlim was the second speaker and took us on a thought experiment… Let’s assume we’re looking back to the mid-2020s from a future where we did indeed turn the tide. What will we have done right? His answer was complex enough, but he also boiled it down to these five simple aspects:

1. Feed the right wolf: Make conscious decisions on where your money is going, and what you eat.
2. Practise voluntary simplicity: Live a simple lifestyle. Do less, spend less. Enjoy more.
3. Speak truth to power: Engage in advocacy. Tell those in power whose actions have negative impacts that their behaviour has such impact that you can see, and that it is not acceptable in the society we wish to create.
4. Hold hands: Build networks and communities, from the ground up. Practise solidarity, and inspire one another.
5. Hold the vision: nurture the miracle of change, as it grows, slowly.

We reflected on what all that means for us here in Skerries in small groups, following their inputs, and Féidhlim and Philip responded to our thoughts in such a way that we all left that evening much more hopeful and determined than we had felt beforehand.

Photographs: Kevin McFeely, Fly Media (2); Sabine McKenna (2); Karen Power (1)

One of our favourite Sunday events was the “Green Teams in Action” workshop, where past and present members of the Skerries Community College Eco Club talked about their research into sustainability in schools. They had some very good and clear messages for all of us – including that if you want to get people to join your group, it will be much easier to win them over if you have some nice biscuits ready for them! 

There was gardening advice at the fair, and for those who wanted to get a good practical overview, Máire Jones talked about “Mission Not Impossible: Gardening in small spaces”. Do look up the video on that one, it was so full of practical, down-to-earth information, amazing.

Of course, the festival wasn’t all for grown-ups, nor was it all theoretical or serious! 

Children could test their bike skills on the amazing obstacle course which the Irish Centre for Cycling had set up on the grass next to the swan pond. The amount of repeat cyclists proves how brilliant that one was. Families loved the doodle workshop with Niamh Sharkey and Owen Churcher, based on their most recent books, “Hello Bird” and “Leaflings” – and the arts & craft area at the Eco Fair. Bike repair demos, organised by Skerries Cycling Initiative in front of the Old School, found much interest, too.

From the moment you stepped into the Eco Fair, you knew this was more than just a typical market. It wasn’t just about picking up eco-friendly goodies like handmade soaps and upcycled treasures (though there were plenty to choose from!). Visitors also had the chance to chat with local solar panel providers, learn about sustainable energy initiatives, and even find out why mowing your lawn less might be the best thing you can do for wildlife. There was such a buzz about the fair that many are already calling for a similar event before Christmas!

Art lovers were in for a treat with the Sketch for Skerries project, initiated by local artist Kristina Keegan. Over 50 artists contributed to this stunning exhibition, which captivated visitors throughout the weekend. You can see some of the artwork on the galleriakristina.com blog.

For those who wanted to learn and take action, Speakers’ Corner provided a range of inspiring talks. Experts shared insights on everything from home energy-saving tips to the role of insects in biodiversity and the sustainability advantages of breastfeeding. Plans are already in place to improve sound and visibility for next year, making it even easier for the audience to soak up the wisdom shared.

There was plenty of music, not only on Friday during the opening night, courtesy of the Skerries Ukulele Strummers, but also on the Sunday, when the Ecoleles (originally formed for the Skerries Pride of Place Afternoon in early September) framed the Speaker’s Corner. 

And comedy, thanks to Colm O’Regan, shaped the festival finale. His show Climate Worrier struck the perfect balance between humour and insight, leaving the audience both laughing and reflecting on the challenges ahead. If the number of people buying his book is any indication, Colm’s message definitely hit home… one in three walked home with his Climate Worrier under their arm!

Photos: Kevin McFeely, FlyMedia.ie

Missed the festival? Don’t worry—you can still catch up on the highlights! 

The 2024 Skerries Eco Festival Photo Challenge resulted in a visually striking and thought-provoking selection of photos, which are now on view at Skerries Mills, until the end of next week. 

Head over to the Sustainable Skerries YouTube channel for videos of the event, including some of the main talks, and check out the festival photos on sustainableskerries.com. And if you want to stay in the loop, make sure to subscribe to their monthly newsletter by emailing sustskerries@gmail.com.

The Skerries Eco Festival may have come to a close, but its message is clear: there’s something we can all do to protect our environment. Whether it’s getting involved with a local project, rethinking how we use water, or simply spending more time enjoying the nature around us, the festival proved that together, we can make a difference.

The festival would not have been possible without the support of Fingal County Council and LAWPRO.

The above article was published, in a shortened version, in Skerries News on 04 October 2024.

Alongside a lovely writeup about the 2024 Skerries Eco Festival Photo Challenge!