Cork community arts project to host free events in city park

A range of free events are set to take place in Cork city this year as part of a new community-led project at Tramore Valley Park.

The KinShip art project, which launched in 2022, will see the EcoLab at Tramore Valley Park used as a venue for creative and cultural events as part of the 2025 EcoLab Creative Programme, led by Nature Network Ireland.

The programme brings together artists, ecologists, and community members to deliver an array of activities, including a ‘Nature Connection Book Club’ with An Taisce climate ambassador, Diana Rivero; a ‘Tea Ceremony and Nature Connection Circle’ with Jeni Wu; a historical walk with Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy; a ‘Cultivating Kinship’ workshop with the Cork Queer Nature Collective; and a ‘Creative Soundwalk’ for World Listening Day with Seán Taylor.

The programme has also announced that Ashleigh Ellis will be the artist facilitator for an insect event on Heritage Week’s Wild Child Day along with ecologist, Robbie Carroll.

The recipient of this year’s KinShip Artist Placement is artist Phil Ryan, who will undertake research to explore the collaborative creation of functional utilitarian seating for the EcoLab structure at the park.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Dan Boyle said he is proud to see how the three-year old project has “blossomed”.

"From its beginnings as an artist-driven project supported by Creative Ireland's Creative Climate Action Fund and Cork City Council, KinShip has now blossomed into a collaborative framework supported by a newly formed Counsel of Communities, and a dynamic lead community partner – Nature Network Ireland."

“These groups are working creatively together to shape the future of the art project, ensuring that local communities are not just participants, but co-creators."

Stephen Scully, of Cork City Council’s Parks Section, said that the park, which was “once a symbol of waste” has become something of beauty to be shared.

"Since launching in 2022, KinShip has called Tramore Valley Park home – a site transformed from a city landfill (1964-2009) to a public park that opened fully in 2019.

“This land, once a symbol of waste in the city, is now a habitat for shared futures.

“Inspired by the concept of “kinship” as framed by feminist scholar Donna Haraway, the project invites people to see themselves as part of a greater ecological family – interconnected, interdependent, and responsible."

For more information on events at Tramore Valley Park, visit: https://tinyurl.com/3ezku4sy.