Dublin Port Fest events at Heritage Week 2022

Padraig Conlon 09 Aug 2022

Dublin features in a new film and exhibition exploring the histories, life and culture of five port towns in Ireland and Wales set to be released during Heritage Week 2022.

These events have been produced by Aberystwyth University and the University of Wales Trinity Saint Davids as part of ‘Ports, Past and Present’, an international project led by University College Cork (UCC) which explores the history and cultural heritage of the ports.

Project leader Professor Claire Connolly from University College Cork said: “The Ports, Past and Present project frames voices, images and stories from across the five ports, enabling new forms of engagement with a shared past.”

The film, ‘At the Water’s Edge: Stories of the Irish Sea’, showcases stunning views of the landscapes and wildlife of the Irish Sea coast.

Through stories told by local people, it explores the interconnected history of the ports of Dublin and Rosslare Harbour in Ireland, and of Fishguard, Holyhead and Pembroke Dock in Wales, as well as the three ferry routes connecting them.

Stories include those of dock workers and kayakers, local historians, and wildlife lovers.

Dublin residents Gary Brown, Shane O’Doherty, Audrey Mac Cready, Jenny Kilbride, John Hawkins, Séan Potts, Mick Foran,and Kay Foran are among those who feature in the film, sharing their stories of living and working in the area.

Shane O’Doherty describes the links between the landscape and history in Dublin Bay, while Kay Foran shares her memorable stories of signing up as a rare female dockworker.

The film screens at the Port Centre, Dublin Port, at 5pm on Saturday, August 13.

Email Rita Singer to request a free ticket to the screening: ris32@aber.ac.uk. With thanks to Dublin Port Company for their support of this event.

Meanwhile, the ‘Creative Connections’ exhibition showcases inspiring works by 12 creative practitioners who have worked with communities across the five ferry ports to present their unique heritage stories through storytelling, community art, photography, film and a radio play.

This work is led by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

The exhibition will be launched at a special reception at 6pm on Tuesday, August 16 in EPIC’s Liffey Corner gallery space, at the CHQ building.

Tuesday’s reception will include readings and a short film showing. The exhibition runs from August 13 to August 21, with further events scheduled throughout the week.

To sign up for the Creative Connections exhibition launch reception and related events, visit https://epicchq.com/event/dublin-ports-festival/.

With thanks to EPIC and the Welsh Representative’s Office in Ireland for their support of this event.

The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Co-operation Programme. The project is led by UCC in partnership with Aberystwyth University, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and Wexford County Council.

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