Tóchar project manager, Shirley Clerkin, alongside artist Shane Hynan participated in a panel discussion at the Photo Museum Ireland on the 23^rd September 2024. Facilitated by Toby Smith, who is the development lead from the acclaimed Belfast Photo Festival, Shirley and Shane outlined the importance of bogs and wetlands for climate action, addressing questions about how photography can make an impact in the restoration space for climate, biodiversity and community.

Shane Hynan has created an impactful body of work exploring the culture and landscape of bogs in the midlands.  His work Beneath/Beofhód which looks at the de-industrialisation of the bogs has a particular resonance for the Tóchar wetlands restoration scheme, focusing on the eight midland counties of the Just Transition territory. He explores the past relationships with bogs, and re-imagines the bogs as a potent place for climate action in present.

Discussions at the Photo Museum Ireland also drew attention to photography of the 1950s, which showed the processes for peat development in Ireland, using a photographic narrative from an intact bog landscape, cutting drains, extracting and milling, building new villages and children playing. The role of extraction to retain people in rural areas with good quality housing and livelihoods was powerfully communicated in these images. 

Can the evolvement of a new paradigm of restoration be explored through photography? Is it enough to be a photographic witness or can photography have a more pivotal role?

These were some of the areas that animated the panel discussion and the participating audience.

Shirley Clerkin, reflecting on the event said “We need all ways of thinking to enliven and enrich the conversations about nature restoration. It’s refreshing to share ecological thoughts with new audiences and to see the powerful of work of someone like Shane have an impact on others’ perspectives. In the end we will flourish together, and that includes us and nature. Thanks to the Photo Museum Ireland for enabling the conversations to commence.”

• You can visit Shane’s work on the Shane Hynan Website
• Photo Museum Ireland