Sherkin Island photographer highlighting impact of plastic waste on West Cork's islands

Sherkin Island art photographer Nuala Mahon is highlighting the detrimental impact of plastics on West Cork’s islands.

Her project, Leave No Plastic Trace, a series of talks, poetry readings and video presentations, will take place on Cape Clear Island on August 6, Heir Island on August 8, and Sherkin Island on August 11. Each event will start at 2pm and run for three hours.

Ms Mahon said: “Leave No Plastic Trace is an opportunity to invite three West Cork island communities to think about their use of plastics and to reflect on the small steps we can all take to minimise our use of plastics. The series of events is free, and we would be delighted to welcome young and old to come and engage with us.

Concerned

“This project commenced with a year-long analysis of the plastic I used weekly over the 52 weeks of 2020. As covid emerged, I became increasingly aware of, and concerned about, the quantity of plastic debris being washed up on Sherkin Island’s beaches.

“This prompted me to pursue sustainable photographic practices, such as the use of seaweed as a developer, and it led to the construction of my own pinhole cameras from materials such as cardboard, tin cans, and recycled wood. I will be showcasing my cameras, and some of my photographic works, during the presentations.”

Sponsored by Creative Places West Cork Islands, the events include a video made by Ms Mahon to document her use of plastics over the course of a year and an exhibit of her images of plastic waste.

Nollaig Rowan, a poet who is based part-time on Sherkin, will recite a poem she wrote in response to the video. 

The three events will also include talks by Professor Marcel Jansen, an ecophysiologist at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at University College Cork, who will explain the scientific consequences of overproduction. Tad Kirokwaski, CEO of Voice, an Irish environmental NGO, will deliver a brief presentation and answer questions.