Mo Laoch

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Mo Laoch (My Hero)

I was fortunate to receive a residency from the Clare Arts Office at The Burren College of Art, where I spent a month immersed in the physical and metaphysical fabric of North Clare’s Burren region. Captivated by the textures of rock and plant life, I marvelled at the stark beauty of the karst landscape and the resilience of those who have lived and thrived in such an environment. The rain-soaked limestone, the legends, the geology, and the deep-rooted lore of this National Park seeped into my consciousness, shaping my artistic exploration.

As with all my work, I found myself both fascinated and unsettled by the undeniable evidence of climate change altering the landscape and the lives of its people. Initially, I documented my impressions through photography, sketches, and collected organic materials. Back in the studio, under the guidance of artists and lecturers Tom Flanagan and Eileen Hutton, I transformed these raw elements, pushing my practice into new territories. The residency became a catalyst for experimentation—installations, digital art, and new material processes emerged from what began as a playful curiosity.

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