Wild at heart on the Fergus

ByJessica Quinn (The Clare Champion)

July 18, 2025

"A new art installation at the mill wheel park on the River Fergus marks the culmination of an extraordinary collaborative initiative in Ennis.

A cross-community intergenerational and intercultural project, River Fergus Wild at Heart represents a wealth of knowledge and skills in Ennis Men’s Shed, Ennis Tidy Towns, Scoil Chríost Rí, Cloughleigh; and Clare County Council, brought together under the guidance of creative and environmental director, Evelyn Sorohan.

Showcasing the ecology of the River Fergus, the project at Mill Road is a perfect example of embracing the concept of protecting the environment through re-use and recycling. The main elements of the artwork are coins and jewellery donated by more than 30 people, mounted on boards made from recycled plastics.

The pyramid inspired metal frame installation features three panels depicting a leaping salmon, an otter, and a great white egret, species that are to be found on rivers and lakes in twelve countries, representing the diversity of the nationalities of the those who were involved in the project."

Artist Statment:

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