Public event to showcase Loughshinny Boathouse Studio Residency

Fingal County Council has announced ‘It’s Written in the Rocks / Scríobhtar é sna Carraigeacha’ by Louis Haugh, an event marking the end of his residency at Loughshinny boathouse.

‘It’s Written in the Rocks / Scríobhtar é sna Carraigeacha will take place on Saturday 10th May from 1- 4pm at Loughshinny Boathouse and will comprise of an open studio featuring a selection of artwork made in response to the local biodiversity and geology and a new zine written in Irish titled; Scríobhtar é sna Carraigeacha, developed in collaboration with Ian MacGabhan, Irish Language Specialist & Educator.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh, commented: ‘The Loughshinny Boathouse Studio Residency offers artists an opportunity to develop their practice within a unique environment. Louis has used this time to teach, connect and learn.’

Fingal County Council Arts Office, Sarah O’Neil added: ‘The Arts Office are delighted to support Louis as he develops his practice within the local community.

“Rush has welcomed Louis in the Loughshinny Boathouse over the last 9 months of his residency and this event will be a great way to highlight his work during this time.’

Accompanying this open studio event are two scheduled walks around the local area with environment experts to discuss the unique biodiversity and geology of Loughshinny.

Led by Dr. Quentin Crowley; Prof. Geology and Director of the Centre for the Environment Trinity College Dublin and Dr. Lorainne Bull, Biodiversity Officer for Fingal County Council, the walks will take place at 2.15pm and 3pm.

Louis commented on the residency: ‘My time on the Loughshinny Boathouse Studio Residency has been valuable beyond measure.

“It has given me time to not only develop my artistic practice in new and experimental ways, but also to really reflect on what is important to me as an artist; practically, politically and personally.

“I am extremely grateful for those opportunities and I am excited to bring the ideas and research I have been developing onto the next stage beyond the residency period.”

A visual artist working in photography, sound and installation, Louis Haugh is the recipient of the inaugural Loughshinny Boathouse Studio Award.

This provides a fully funded studio for a professional visual artist to research and develop new work exploring Fingal’s biodiversity, coastal habitats and climate change impacts.

During his residency, which commenced in September 2024, Louis engaged with Fingal County Council’s Biodiversity and Climate Action Officers and the community of Loughshinny.

He facilitated a workshop for Fingal County Council’s programme of events for Dublin Climate Action Week along with a series of workshops that included 6th class students from St. Brendan’s National School, AerachAiteachGaelach (AAG) and the Loughshinny Widows group.