Bean Feasa, meaning wise woman, celebrates the work of women helping to restore, protect and reimagine nature across Ireland.
Thursday, 24 September 2026, Ireland: Two Offaly women, acclaimed nature photographer Tina Claffey and Aisling O’Rourke are among the stories of thirteen women being featured in Bean Feasa, a national portrait series co-created by award-winning photographer Evanna Devine, Tóchar Midlands Wetland Restoration and Photo Museum Ireland. Their work demonstrates how photography, broadcasting and clear communication can help people understand and engage with nature restoration.
A renowned nature photographer and author, Tina has spent years documenting Ireland’s wetlands, peatlands and biodiversity. Through her striking imagery, she has helped people develop a deeper appreciation of native habitats and the importance of protecting them.
Speaking about her nomination Tina Claffey said:
“I am truly honoured and humbled to be nominated for this wonderful Bean Feasa project. I don’t come from an ecology or conservation background. I am merely an observer. Over time, I have found that the focus of my work is to create awareness of the tiny treasures of the natural world and instill a sense of awe and love for wondrous nature that we still have. To encourage the viewer to slow down to nature’s pace, and truly ‘see’.”
Tina is the author of ‘Tapestry of Light-Ireland’s bogs & wetlands as never seen before’ released in October 2017, and ‘Portal-Otherworldly Wonders of Ireland’s bogs, wetlands and eskers’ released in May 2022. She loves to explore the hidden world of our bogs, wetlands and wild spaces with her macro lens, which captures these enchanted wildernesses in their minuteness, seeing beyond what the human eye is capable of. Living, breathing carpets of wonderful treasures.
Tina has exhibited around the world and throughout Ireland and has been honoured with awards from prestigious world photography competitions and has presented her work on many worldwide online platforms including the Wildlife Habitat Council US Online Conference and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) to promote the importance of the Irish bog wilderness. Her photography work has been featured on the cover and within the Government of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan for 2024 and 2025.
Aisling O’Rourke is a communications and media coach and broadcaster. Her work focuses on making complex environmental and sustainability issues accessible, relevant and capable of inspiring action. She is the presenter and producer of Let’s Go Green on Midlands 103, a weekly environmental programme exploring climate action, biodiversity, sustainability and community initiatives. Through both her coaching and broadcasting, Aisling brings together expert, community and business voices to support clearer conversations around environmental change.
Speaking about her selection, Aisling said:
“I’m looking forward to learning from an inspiring group of women who are already making a real difference for nature, and to exploring how clear, inclusive communication can help more people connect with biodiversity, support restoration and create lasting environmental change”
Aisling’s selection for Bean Feasa recognises the critical role journalism and storytelling play in supporting nature restoration through public participation.
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, said:
“Bean Feasa is a powerful celebration of the women who are helping to restore, protect and reimagine nature in communities across Ireland. Each of the women featured in this series shows the vital role that local leadership, creativity and community action play in tackling biodiversity loss and building a deeper connection with the natural world.
“Through the partnership between Tóchar Midlands Wetland Restoration, Photo Museum Ireland and photographer Evanna Devine, this project will bring these important stories to a wider audience and shine a light on the people whose work is helping shape Ireland’s environmental future. I warmly congratulate all thirteen women selected for this inspiring national portrait series.”
Commenting on the announcement, Shirley Clerkin, Tóchar Project Manager said:
“Tina’s work has helped countless people see Ireland’s wetlands and wildlife in a new way. Through her photography she has inspired appreciation, curiosity and care for nature, making her a hugely deserving participant in the Bean Feasa campaign.”
“Aisling has consistently used her platform to champion positive environmental action and amplify the voices of those working to restore nature in communities across Ireland. Using her skills as a journalist and insightful storyteller, she helps inspire awareness, hope and action for our planet while always remaining rooted in localism.”
Trish Lambe, CEO of Photo Museum Ireland, added:
“Bean Feasa recognises women whose work is shaping Ireland’s environmental future, while supporting a leading Irish photographic artist to create an important photographic record of that work. Evanna’s compelling portraits will connect these individual stories with the landscapes and communities around them, bringing this important work to wider audiences through this exhibition.”
Evanna Devine was awarded the €15,000 Bean Feasa Photography Commission following an international open call. As the national centre for contemporary photography, Photo Museum Ireland is supporting the development, production and curation of the work, including access to its specialist image-processing facilities. The completed series will be presented, along with a bespoke publication, at Photo Museum Ireland later this year before touring nationally.
The Bean Feasa exhibition forms part of the wider work of Tóchar Midlands Wetland Restoration, one of Ireland’s largest nature restoration initiatives. The project reflects Tóchar’s commitment to ensuring that nature restoration is recognised not only as an environmental challenge but
also, as a social movement driven by people working within their communities.
Tóchar Midlands Wetland Restoration is one of the largest restoration projects currently underway. It is a three-year, €12 million wetlands restoration project co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme. The project is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The commissioned portraits will form part of a public exhibition and publication launching in November 2026 before touring nationally.