Mo Laoch

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Mo Laoch (My Hero)

Awarded by Clare Arts Office, my month-long residency at The Burren College of Art offered time and space to immerse myself in the physical landscape and rich cultural memory of North Clare’s Burren region. I was drawn to the textures of rock and plant life, the stark beauty of the karst landscape, and the resilience of the communities who have made their lives there. Rain-soaked limestone, geological histories, legends and local lore gradually seeped into my consciousness, shaping my artistic responses.

As in much of my work, this fascination was accompanied by unease at the signs of climate change and its effects on the landscape and those who inhabit it. Photography, sketches and collected organic materials became starting points for exploring these tensions. Back in the studio, with guidance from artists and lecturers Tom Flanagan and Eileen Hutton, I developed these observations into new forms, extending both my materials and methods. What began as playful curiosity grew into a sustained period of experimentation with installation, digital art and material processes. The residency deepened my engagement with place and opened new directions in my practice.

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Mo Laoch, my hero, was born from this creative journey. Crafted from found objects and fabrics of the Burren, he became a spirit of the land—rooted in the region yet shaped by my evolving artistic language. Using my newfound digital skills, I embedded him within the landscapes that resonated deeply with me. He became a silent guide, speaking to me much like the farmers and cottage industrialists I met along my excursions—people whose knowledge, struggles, and resilience mirrored the endurance of the Burren itself.

Looking back, I realize how profoundly the Burren air captivated and energized me, propelling me beyond familiar methods of creativity. Visually, I was overwhelmed by the vast organic colour palettes, which led me to create colour swatch pieces to accompany Mo Laoch in his legendary spaces. What emerged is a multidisciplinary body of work—one I am still grappling to fully understand.

Yet, if there is one undeniable thread running through this project, it is my deepening fascination with how people not only survive but thrive in such a seemingly barren place. This curiosity led me to interview the locals, whose insights were both moving and thought-provoking. Many spoke with a heavy heart about their desire to remain in the Burren but felt unable to do so due to mounting challenges. Their stories linger with me, igniting a new direction—one that calls for a socially engaged project to amplify their voices, their struggles, and their unwavering connection to this extraordinary landscape.

Creative Exploration of the Socio-Economic Impacts and Solutions to Sustainable Existences within a Climate-Changing Rural West of Ireland Community.

This project invites members of a rural West of Ireland community to engage in a creative exploration of the socio-economic impacts of climate change on their daily lives, livelihoods, and prospects and most significantly to collaboratively create more sustainable modes of living and being within this beautiful landscape.

Through a series of participatory workshops, community members are encouraged to reflect on how climate change and other socio-economic factors are already affecting their local environment, economy, and social structures.

Participants of all ages and backgrounds come together to discuss the challenges they face, such as changes in agricultural practices, rural infrastructure, and local resources.

By utilizing art, storytelling, and collaborative creative processes, the project empowers the community to envision sustainable solutions that are both culturally relevant and economically viable. It aims to highlight the importance of local knowledge, while also considering global climate action frameworks.

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The process encourages collective problem-solving and the sharing of ideas that can foster resilience, sustainable development, and a shift towards greener practices in the community.

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The final outcomes of these explorations are presented publicly, offering a platform for the community’s voices to be heard and for broader audiences to gain insight into the specific challenges faced by rural areas in addressing climate change.

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The project fosters a deeper understanding of the intersection between socio-economic realities and environmental sustainability, igniting conversations that can lead to tangible, locally-driven solutions.

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Gallery of my Work : Mo Laoch Explorations