Aughinish – The Island of the Horse
Map
Map
Story & Experience
Six of us visited the Aughinish Wildlife Sanctuary across the estuary from the plant. One of the ironies is the sign asking us to leave nothing but footprints sponsored by Aughinish Alumina.
Deirdre and I were joined by local artist Melina Sharp who had created three salmon sculptures woven from hazel branches. These were offered to the River Shannon to send healing to the water and to welcome the salmon back. We offered healing and acknowledgement to the land across the river by chanting and drumming. Melina told us about Pat’s aunt who used to say “The geese will fly once more over Aughinish” which prompted me to tell a story “Níl Tuile Dá Mhéad Nach dTránn” which literally means ‘There is no flood that does not recede’ – in other words, “This too Shall Pass”.
After our acknowledgement of the land, each of us spoke of the sense of hope we felt for this place: “The geese will fly once more over Aughinish, the horses will run once more on Aughinish”.
Six of us visited the Aughinish Wildlife Sanctuary across the estuary from the plant. One of the ironies is the sign asking us to leave nothing but footprints sponsored by Aughinish Alumina.
Deirdre and I were joined by local artist Melina Sharp who had created three salmon sculptures woven from hazel branches. These were offered to the River Shannon to send healing to the water and to welcome the salmon back. We offered healing and acknowledgement to the land across the river by chanting and drumming. Melina told us about Pat’s aunt who used to say “The geese will fly once more over Aughinish” which prompted me to tell a story “Níl Tuile Dá Mhéad Nach dTránn” which literally means ‘There is no flood that does not recede’ – in other words, “This too Shall Pass”.
After our acknowledgement of the land, each of us spoke of the sense of hope we felt for this place: “The geese will fly once more over Aughinish, the horses will run once more on Aughinish”.
Why this Place?
Aughinish, Co. Limerick, Ireland
Aughinish means the ‘Island of the Horse’. It is now home to Aughinish Alumina a refinery which imports Bauxite to manufacture Aluminium. The tragedy is that the land and water around it have been devastated by toxic air and water pollution
resulting in the death of farm animals, and serious illness for people living in the area.
One family, Pat and Nuala Geoghegan and their daughters have had to abandon their family home, farm and way of life. They were to join us for our event but unfortunately, were too ill to come.
Act of Beauty
We also created an art piece from flowers that Jacinta brought and found objects – shells, crabs, feathers and rubbish including a sock.
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