Sinéad Curran
Breathnú Draíochta | Vanishing Veins
Public Art Residency: Vanishing Veins
A Photographic and Textile Journey into Cavan’s Wetlands
This residency developed from an initial 10‑day research residency with Cavan Arts Office in 2024, as part of the Roots for the Future collective. Building on the connections and methodology established during that time, the artist returned in 2025 to deepen the work through a six‑month Public Art Residency in collaboration with Cavan Arts Office.
The Project
Vanishing Veins explores the fragile and changing nature of wetland ecosystems in County Cavan and beyond. Wetlands, vital for biodiversity, water purification, flood protection and carbon storage, are increasingly under threat, with significant loss recorded in recent decades.
Through a combination of photography, textiles, folklore, science and community engagement, the project sought to uncover the ecological and cultural narratives embedded within these landscapes, while opening dialogue around sustainability and environmental care.
Approach
The residency combined a socially engaged artistic practice with ecological research, drawing on:
-
local knowledge and traditions
-
botanical and ecological expertise
-
craft practices including textiles, weaving and natural materials
-
experimental photographic processes, including cameraless techniques
Working in and with the landscape—particularly around Lough MacNean and Blacklion—the artist explored ideas of memory, place, and deep time, connecting past traditions with present environmental challenges and future possibilities.
Community Engagement
A central aspect of the residency was working closely with local communities. Through a series of public events, workshops and collaborations, the project brought together artists, ecologists, heritage experts and local groups.
Key activities included:
-
Guided walks, talks and ecological fieldwork
-
Cameraless photography and craft workshops
-
Basket weaving, ceramics and textile making
-
Collaborative events during Heritage Week, Culture Night and Science Week
-
A large-scale Wetlands Day event celebrating place, tradition and creativity
These initiatives created opportunities for shared learning, dialogue and participation, highlighting a strong appetite within the community for creative engagement with environmental issues.
Partnerships
The project was supported through collaboration with a wide range of partners, including:
-
Cavan Arts Office
-
Cavan Geopark
-
Heritage and Biodiversity Offices
-
LAWPRO
-
Local community groups, including Blacklion Tidy Towns
-
Artists, ecologists and craft practitioners
These partnerships were central to building meaningful connections between art, science and community.
Outcomes and Insights
The residency revealed the richness of Cavan’s wetland landscapes not only ecologically, but culturally and historically. Through storytelling, craft and visual work, the project highlighted:
-
the importance of wetlands as living ecosystems
-
the impact of environmental change on water quality and biodiversity
-
the deep cultural connections between people, land and water
-
the value of community knowledge and shared experience
The work also explored the role of mythology and folklore—drawing on traditions associated with birds, water and landscape—to deepen understanding and connection to place.
Looking Forward
While ambitious in scope, the residency has laid a strong foundation for ongoing work. It highlights the potential of creative, collaborative approaches to environmental awareness, and the importance of art as a tool for engagement, reflection and change.
At its core, Vanishing Veins invites us to reconnect with water, with landscape and with each other and to consider how we might collectively care for these vital ecosystems into the future.
Sinéad Curran
Breathnú Draíochta | Vanishing Veins
Public Art Residency: Vanishing Veins
A Photographic and Textile Journey into Cavan’s Wetlands
This residency developed from an initial 10‑day research residency with Cavan Arts Office in 2024, as part of the Roots for the Future collective. Building on the connections and methodology established during that time, the artist returned in 2025 to deepen the work through a six‑month Public Art Residency in collaboration with Cavan Arts Office.
The Project
Vanishing Veins explores the fragile and changing nature of wetland ecosystems in County Cavan and beyond. Wetlands, vital for biodiversity, water purification, flood protection and carbon storage, are increasingly under threat, with significant loss recorded in recent decades.
Through a combination of photography, textiles, folklore, science and community engagement, the project sought to uncover the ecological and cultural narratives embedded within these landscapes, while opening dialogue around sustainability and environmental care.
Approach
The residency combined a socially engaged artistic practice with ecological research, drawing on:
-
local knowledge and traditions
-
botanical and ecological expertise
-
craft practices including textiles, weaving and natural materials
-
experimental photographic processes, including cameraless techniques
Working in and with the landscape—particularly around Lough MacNean and Blacklion—the artist explored ideas of memory, place, and deep time, connecting past traditions with present environmental challenges and future possibilities.
Community Engagement
A central aspect of the residency was working closely with local communities. Through a series of public events, workshops and collaborations, the project brought together artists, ecologists, heritage experts and local groups.
Key activities included:
-
Guided walks, talks and ecological fieldwork
-
Cameraless photography and craft workshops
-
Basket weaving, ceramics and textile making
-
Collaborative events during Heritage Week, Culture Night and Science Week
-
A large-scale Wetlands Day event celebrating place, tradition and creativity
These initiatives created opportunities for shared learning, dialogue and participation, highlighting a strong appetite within the community for creative engagement with environmental issues.
Partnerships
The project was supported through collaboration with a wide range of partners, including:
-
Cavan Arts Office
-
Cavan Geopark
-
Heritage and Biodiversity Offices
-
LAWPRO
-
Local community groups, including Blacklion Tidy Towns
-
Artists, ecologists and craft practitioners
These partnerships were central to building meaningful connections between art, science and community.
Outcomes and Insights
The residency revealed the richness of Cavan’s wetland landscapes not only ecologically, but culturally and historically. Through storytelling, craft and visual work, the project highlighted:
-
the importance of wetlands as living ecosystems
-
the impact of environmental change on water quality and biodiversity
-
the deep cultural connections between people, land and water
-
the value of community knowledge and shared experience
The work also explored the role of mythology and folklore—drawing on traditions associated with birds, water and landscape—to deepen understanding and connection to place.
Looking Forward
While ambitious in scope, the residency has laid a strong foundation for ongoing work. It highlights the potential of creative, collaborative approaches to environmental awareness, and the importance of art as a tool for engagement, reflection and change.
At its core, Vanishing Veins invites us to reconnect with water, with landscape and with each other and to consider how we might collectively care for these vital ecosystems into the future.