once i counted birds (2009)
Blogging is a key part of my eco-social art practice.
I began blogging in 2008 after initiating a series of ArtLinks.ie courses ‘Blogging for Artists’ with podcaster-broadcaster, theatre company co-founder, Ken McGuire from Kilkenny.
Above is the first video I made for the Hollywood Forest Story. Short videos and photos brought people from afar to experience the transformation of Hollywood forest.
My blogging evolved slowly but it became the ideal means to capture an ongoing, slow ecological art practice that comprised of many eco-social art activities over the years. I was very heartened to discover in 2014 that Australian Dr. Lucas Ihlein successfully argued in his award-winning PhD, that ‘blogging is art’ and how it can be a critical and engaging means for collating all the experiences and knowledge, and developing audiences, for social art practices.
Latest 100 Hollywoodforest.com posts below
Routledge Handbook of Placemaking 2021 ‘The Hollywood Forest Story: Placemaking for the Symbiocene’ May 19, 2021 - It is still a surprise to me, after a rather tortuous and risky Creative Practice-led PhD, that The Hollywood Forest Story, and particularly my framework to explain long term ecosocial (ecological) art practice has found resonance with others. And, over and over again, creatives and educators come back to me, after reading my most popular…Read more Routledge Handbook of Placemaking 2021 ‘The Hollywood Forest Story: Placemaking for the Symbiocene’
For Chrysalis Arts UK: Cathy Fitzgerald on ECOSOCIAL (ECOLOGICAL) ART IN PRACTICE May 19, 2021 - I’m delighted share that I will be talking about my ongoing ecosocial arts practice, The Hollywood Forest Story (since 2008), this Thursday 20 May, 2PM Irish/UK time 2021 for UK Chrysalis Art Development’s Art & Climate in Practice three-week programme. Chrysalis UK are hosting a series of talks and events exploring the work of artists,…Read more For Chrysalis Arts UK: Cathy Fitzgerald on ECOSOCIAL (ECOLOGICAL) ART IN PRACTICE
Bealtaine and Banais Righi -the High King Speaks by Grace Wells May 1, 2021 - ‘The Future Has An Ancient Heart’ – Carlo Levi The start of Summer starts today on Bealtaine, May 1st in Ireland, and Scotland. Steeped in ancient pagan lore of myth and magic, and more recent traditions, this day between Spring and Summer promised better times ahead, and gave a sense of renewal for Ireland’s people…Read more Bealtaine and Banais Righi -the High King Speaks by Grace Wells
‘Dear Dandelion’ – Polly Higgin’s legacy to prevent ecocide grows April 6, 2021 - “…imagine a future where the principles by which the world operates are golden rules: first do no harm, care for all life, seek joy … ‘Dear Dandelion’ – A poem by Jojo Mehta dedicated to the memory of Polly Higgins 1968-2019. On Easter Sunday I was reflecting on the sudden, tragic loss of an outstanding,…Read more ‘Dear Dandelion’ – Polly Higgin’s legacy to prevent ecocide grows
Help Hold Our Breath for 2040: Call to Global Creative Community to Envision Earth as Forest February 23, 2021 - Dawn of the Symbiocene: photo by Cathy Fitzgerald, Jan, 2019 A call to Earth’s Creative Community–to Envision Earth As Forest! Your invitation to contribute to a digital commemoration of forests that will be held in perpetuity at holdourbreath2040.com Expressing fundamental values like love and care for others are part of any healthy culture. However, I…Read more Help Hold Our Breath for 2040: Call to Global Creative Community to Envision Earth as Forest
New ecosocial art practice book–: ‘Creative Engagements with Ecologies of Place’ and guest talk by Iain Biggs February 11, 2021 - If you come here to help me, you are wasting your time.If you came here because your liberation is bound up with mine,Then let us work together. Mary Watkins quotes an Aboriginal Activist from Queensland, Australia, in Mutual Accompaniment and the Creation of the Commons, cited in the new Routledge book: Creative Engagements with Ecologies…Read more New ecosocial art practice book–: ‘Creative Engagements with Ecologies of Place’ and guest talk by Iain Biggs
Earth Writings: Irish ecosocial art practices with Bogs, Forest, Fields, Gardens February 9, 2021 - I am delighted to share that a book that has evolved from an ongoing innovative artists-academic project and conversations, launched in 2019, called Earth Writings is available to purchase from this site. I was invited to contribute to this project (with work from my ongoing ecosocial art practice, The Hollywood Forest Story) along with other…Read more Earth Writings: Irish ecosocial art practices with Bogs, Forest, Fields, Gardens
South Carlow schools’ ‘An Fraughan’ Drummin Bog book celebrates World Wetland Day and UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration February 8, 2021 - There is great excitement in the South Carlow national schools of St. Brendan’s, Drummond, Scoil Moling, Glynn and St. Michael’s, Newtown this week as the “An Fraughan” eBook is launched. The eBook commemorates the ecosocial art project also called “An Fraughan” that ran in the three schools in 2019. Funded by Creative Ireland with the…
Whose Woods These Are: Wendell Berry’s A Good Forest economy–with Cathy Fitzgerald December 18, 2020 - Poster by Helen McDonnell The following is the 2nd post in which I reflect on Wendell Berry’s ideas of a ‘Good Forest Economy’– from an essay he wrote in 1995 (the reason why I chose to discuss Wendell’s forest ideas are in the previous post here). Musician-curators Eimear Reidy and Natalia Beylis, for the Dock…Read more Whose Woods These Are: Wendell Berry’s A Good Forest economy–with Cathy Fitzgerald
‘Reflecting again on Wendell Berry’s– ‘the forest is the basis of a culture’ December 17, 2020 - This is the first of two posts (my talk recording is in the 2nd post here) reflecting on ideas from writer-philosopher-poet Wendell Berry that influenced my art-forest-policy work over the last two decades. The next post details the odd coincidence in that I have been invited by curators to talk about a forest text that…Read more ‘Reflecting again on Wendell Berry’s– ‘the forest is the basis of a culture’
Online Launch for Irish Earth Writings: Bogs, Forests, Fields, Gardens book November 16, 2020 - We live in an earth facing ecological crisis, changing weather systems, species extinctions, and global pandemics. How can we repair our collapsing environments? Learn from the creative practices of four artists working in southwest Ireland – Monica de Bath, Cathy Fitzgerald, Pauline O’Connell and Seoidín O’Sullivan – who ‘stay with the trouble’ and make ‘kin…Read more Online Launch for Irish Earth Writings: Bogs, Forests, Fields, Gardens book
Speaking with Megan Best Dublin City FM on Why Ecoliteracy Matters for the Creative Sector November 15, 2020 - 103.2 Dublin City FM Yesterday at 07:00 · On the Green Room at 9am, Megan Best chats to Cathy Fitzgerald, PhD by Creative Practice, from Cathy Fitzgerald. Haumea’s ecoart page about the importance of ecoliteracy for arts practitioners and creative professionals. We’ll also discuss her work in advocating for ecocide law and the Earth Charter. I was so delighted…Read more Speaking with Megan Best Dublin City FM on Why Ecoliteracy Matters for the Creative Sector
VOTE for Drummin Bog: A LEADER funded project October 30, 2020 - Jules Michael and Martin Lyttle (Chair) of the Drummin Bog Committee speaking about Drummin Bog and the wonderful support from LEADER The Drummin Bog committee is delighted to share that over several years it developed a comprehensive and successful application for generous LEADER funding. This funding allowed a full range of scientific investigations of Drummin…
Kate Oram: I see an Ash tree October 29, 2020 - Kate Oram: I SEE AN ASH TREE. Ecosocial art researcher Cathy Fitzgerald reflects on the importance of Irish artist Kate Oram's MA exhibition video 'Ashen' 2020 #culturedeclares #facethemergency #ashdieback #Ireland
Further steps in Ireland to help end ecocide October 9, 2020 - Talking horses, Bree and Hwin and two children gallop, desperately trying to get to Narnia where humans and nonhuman species are free and seen as equal! Illustration by Mack for A Horse And His Boy, a book in the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. “I wanted to ask a really Big Question – indeed…Read more Further steps in Ireland to help end ecocide
From Laggards to Legends: Ireland begins moves to support new international ecocide law August 14, 2020 - Could Ireland really move from its unremarkable laggardly environmental awareness (as remarked by our former Taoiseach - prime minister Leo Varadkar) to champion an international law that could alter the activities of the 13 or so mega-corporations that continue to cause much of the ecosocial harm across the world?
Exploring Eco-Social Art Strategies in Qualitative Research and EcoArt – Scandinavia June 29, 2020 - The artist Georges Braque once declared that “art is meant to disturb. Science reassures”. My ideal is that art and science together should disturb, not as disillusion, but as a way to strengthen social reflections and the ethical ethos in qualitative research – in order to propose paradigms which are sustainable and congruent with the…Read more Exploring Eco-Social Art Strategies in Qualitative Research and EcoArt – Scandinavia
New Haumea Online Courses: Creativity as an Act of Love: Cultivating the Mind of Beauty June 20, 2020 - News from my Haumea Ecoliteracy site about two upcoming online courses to help creatives and art professional engage with ecological concerns. Previous courses have booked out quickly – see the testimonials. The Most Important Thing Haumea Online is expanding! New Ecophilosophy and Ecoliteracy Courses for creatives and art professionals announced. Limited places, so book early…Read more New Haumea Online Courses: Creativity as an Act of Love: Cultivating the Mind of Beauty
Plasticity of the Planet: Environmental Challenge for Art and Its Institutions–for the Symbiocene June 14, 2020 - Update: So delighted to share the new book “Plasticity of the Planet: On Environmental Challenge for Art and Its Institutions” designed by Honza Zamojski published by Mousse has been nominated for two categories for Polish Graphic Design Award: “Publication of the Year” and “Project of the Year”! https://www.polishgraphicdesign.com/2019/projekt2019 Yesterday, I had another request for more information about The Hollywood Forest…Read more Plasticity of the Planet: Environmental Challenge for Art and Its Institutions–for the Symbiocene
Coillte Embrace Continuous Cover Forestry in Dublin Mountains Makeover May 28, 2020 - Originally posted on Pro Silva Ireland:
Coillte have unveiled an ambitious plan to makeover their Dublin Mountains forests through continuous cover forestry management. Pro Silva principles will be used to transition nine forests to more diverse woodlands with a focus on habitat preservation and recreation. CCF management techniques can be used for commercial timber production in…
Haumea Online: 2nd Pilot Ecoliteracy Course for Creatives and Art Professionals – booked out May 14, 2020 - This is the time for a Great Reset. Let’s use it to change the way we see ourselves and our place on Earth. The conservationistAldo Leopold once wrotethat “one of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds. Much of the damage inflicted on land is quite…Read more Haumea Online: 2nd Pilot Ecoliteracy Course for Creatives and Art Professionals – booked out
‘The Battle of Moytura Or The Battle for the Soul of Ireland’:- why ecoliteracy for the arts is essential now May 13, 2020 - This is a special post for me. I’m reflecting on the first of what I expect to be many more contributions from ecoliterate creatives I am getting to know in my online ecoliteracy course. I now have the good fortune to meet such talented creatives from all art disciplines and from across the world, in…Read more ‘The Battle of Moytura Or The Battle for the Soul of Ireland’:- why ecoliteracy for the arts is essential now
Innovative 6-week online ‘Ecoliteracy course for Creatives and Art Educators’–seen as a success on Earth Day 2020 May 13, 2020 - This post is from my Haumea Ecoliteracy for the Arts site from a few weeks ago: I have been so busy the last few months in launching my first pilot online course. As I’m just about to launch my next pilot course I thought my followers would like to hear how it went. ABOVE: ‘The…Read more Innovative 6-week online ‘Ecoliteracy course for Creatives and Art Educators’–seen as a success on Earth Day 2020
“I love the story of ‘the little wood that could’. Hope lots of people get to know it.” May 3, 2020 - I was honoured that my ‘Hollywood Forest Story’ was one of several eco-blogs featured in 🇮🇪 The Irish Times today! Above: a comment shared on twitter by Irish architect Helena Fitzgerald 3/5/2020. Image from within Hollywood forest, looking out to the wider world – from The Hollywood Forest blog by Cathy Fitzgerald. ‘uplifting and insightful…Read more “I love the story of ‘the little wood that could’. Hope lots of people get to know it.”
A further 2-year Creative Ireland programme for Carlow’s Drummin Bog announced on 50th anniversary of Earth Day April 22, 2020 - Update: The Drummin Bog Project committee are pleased to confirm a 2-year?programme of creative projects to raise awareness of this unique wetland habitat?will continue later in 2020 and into 2021. At present, the programme is temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 virus restrictions. Sadly, fire has also recently damaged part of Drummin Bog but fortunately…
The Hollywood Forest Story in Ireland, Aotearoa New Zealand and The Irish Times April 15, 2020 - What is the purpose of art? We might put a potentially wise response to that question this way: Art has the same purpose all other activity has, namely to further the conditions of life, or to cultivate the whole of life onward. This cultivation of life is a “mental” process, and thus the world has…Read more The Hollywood Forest Story in Ireland, Aotearoa New Zealand and The Irish Times
The first decade of The Hollywood Forest Story January 31, 2020 - #FridayArt4Emergency At the end of last year, I was invited to share my Hollywood Forest Story eco-social art practice at Maynooth University (MU), Co. Kildare. I was one of four creative practitioners (with Pauline O’Connell, Monica de Bath, and Seiodin O’Sullivan) sharing our work for the inaugural Earth Writings Exhibition and Symposia: Bogs, Forests, Fields,…Read more The first decade of The Hollywood Forest Story
Ecological forestry at Leinster house December 12, 2019 - Continuous Cover Forestry consultant Paddy Purser and Chair of Pro Silva Ireland, Liam Byrne before presenting a statement to Joint Committee on Climate Action at the Oireachtas, Dublin on behalf of Pro Silva Ireland. 11 December 2019. Photo: Cathy Fitzgerald. Many of you familiar with my work to transform Hollywood from a monoculture Sitka spruce…Read more Ecological forestry at Leinster house
“A revolution in how we live? An interdisciplinary workshop on creative approaches to education for environmental understanding and responsibility” on peatlands. December 6, 2019 - #FridayArt4Emergency Trans-Disciplinary Conversations on Peatlands A UCC Research IRC Funded Project #LoveIrishResearch An interdisciplinary Workshop on Creative Approaches to Education for Environmental Understanding and Responsibility Irish Research Council Creative Connection Scheme18-19 October 2019 – The Glucksman, Cork Co-hosted by Dr. Maureen O’Connor, University College Cork and The Glucksman Gallery I was delighted recently to present…Read more “A revolution in how we live? An interdisciplinary workshop on creative approaches to education for environmental understanding and responsibility” on peatlands.
My first Essential Ecoliteracy for Creative Workers and Educators Workshop in Co. Carlow, with Lyric FM November 13, 2019 - I had such a wonderful time on Saturday 2 November 2019, giving my first Essential Ecoliteracy for the Arts workshop for creative people and art teachers in Rathanna village, Co. Carlow, Ireland. I was also interviewed by journalist and writer Rachel Andrews for RTE Lyric FM on the day. The post below is reblogged from…Read more My first Essential Ecoliteracy for Creative Workers and Educators Workshop in Co. Carlow, with Lyric FM
The Hollywood Forest Story—Eco-Social Art Practice for the Symbiocene: a new article for US Minding Nature journal November 11, 2019 - I was thrilled and a little bit nervous to be asked to write an article about Hollywood Forest and my creative practice for the US Minding Nature journal over the summer. MINDING NATURE is a journal exploring conservation values and the practice of ecological democratic citizenship I have been following this fantastic multidisciplinary journal for…Read more The Hollywood Forest Story—Eco-Social Art Practice for the Symbiocene: a new article for US Minding Nature journal
Earth Writings: Bogs, Forests, Fields and Gardens exhibition and symposia 20 Nov. 2019 November 10, 2019 - I am delighted to share that I am taking part in this important Irish Earth Writings Symposia and Exhibition at Maynooth University on 20th November 2019. I and other creative Ireland-based workers will share how we invite diverse rural and urban communities to engage with eco-social topics arising in these urgent times. Cultural activity is…Read more Earth Writings: Bogs, Forests, Fields and Gardens exhibition and symposia 20 Nov. 2019
#FridayArt4Emergency: The Carole Nelson Trio – ‘Arboreal’ -the Album! October 11, 2019 - Carole Nelson is one of a number of Irish artists with an international vocation who has resisted the lure of the city and is rewriting the association of rural Ireland […] Aintzane Legarreta Mentxaka, ‘Recensioni / Reviews’, Studi irlandesi Irish Studies (2019), pp.606-617 All Things ‘Arboreal’: Jazz and Forests? This time last year, I had…Read more #FridayArt4Emergency: The Carole Nelson Trio – ‘Arboreal’ -the Album!
New One-day Workshop in County Carlow, Ireland, Sat 2 Nov, – ‘Everything Must Change’: Essential Ecoliteracy* for your Creative Practice or Teaching October 8, 2019 - Update: Fully Booked! but please email me to be placed on waiting list or list for future courses. Dear Readers, I am reposting this workshop information, as when I reblogged it from my post from my other site, the formatting got scrambled. Thanks for all the interest so far, there are some places are left,…Read more New One-day Workshop in County Carlow, Ireland, Sat 2 Nov, – ‘Everything Must Change’: Essential Ecoliteracy* for your Creative Practice or Teaching
#FridayArt4Emergency: ‘Solastalgia’ – the film August 30, 2019 - With Greta Thunberg and children schoolstriking every Friday across the world, I will likewise post an art practice every Friday that I feel touches audiences and inspires creative workers too. First up, a stunning new short film ‘Solastalgia’ via #FridayArt4Emergency: ‘Solastalgia’ – the film
Introducing Haumea and a proposed new online ‘ecoliteracy for the arts’ course: your ideas welcome! July 18, 2019 - An ecoliterate person is prepared to be an effective member of sustainable society, with well‐rounded abilities of head, heart, hands, and spirit, comprising an organic understanding of the world and participatory action within and with the environment. McBride et al., 2013, Ecosphere, Vol. 4, Issue 5. Some of you might know, in addition to my…Read more Introducing Haumea and a proposed new online ‘ecoliteracy for the arts’ course: your ideas welcome!
Trees and fungi make forests and show us the relationality of the Symbiocene July 14, 2019 - In May and June I wrote an article and gave a couple of talks about ‘Goodbye Anthropocene: Hello Symbiocene. It has been my most read post with over 1001 views! I talked about a new era and new terms of how humanity can picture its living well with the Earth’ other inhabitants. This new framework…Read more Trees and fungi make forests and show us the relationality of the Symbiocene
Welcome news: Green Arts Initiative for Ireland launched July 4, 2019 - Huge congratulations to Caitriona Fallon and Theatre Forum Ireland, who under the guidance of Creative Carbon Scotland’s team and their Scottish Green Arts Initiative, have set up an Irish Green Arts Initiative to ‘provide Irish arts organisations with the resources and support to help build a green Irish arts community.’ Huge congratulations to Caitriona Fallon…Read more Welcome news: Green Arts Initiative for Ireland launched
‘Uinse’ by Sarah Flynn: grieving Ireland’s madness for monocultures July 1, 2019 - At a conference in Ireland in 2004, I remarked that the Irish had had enough experience of imported plant disease to last them a thousand years – the calamitous potato famine in 1845. The man from the Ministry got up and bleated nothing could be done because this would restrict trade and the World Trade…Read more ‘Uinse’ by Sarah Flynn: grieving Ireland’s madness for monocultures
Carlow Drummin Bog Project receives an invitation to attend the President of Ireland’s Picnic for voluntary organisations June 26, 2019 - It was a great thrill last Friday to represent the Carlow Drummin Bog project at the President of Ireland’s summer picnic for voluntary organisations. This post below was orginally posted on the Carlow Drummin Bog Website. Local communities and volunteer organisations like the Community Wetlands Forum, with the support of other organisations, are voluntary stewards…Read more Carlow Drummin Bog Project receives an invitation to attend the President of Ireland’s Picnic for voluntary organisations
Creative Ireland An Fraughan art programme: Three Neighbouring Schools Eco-Social Art Exhibition Creates Buzz for Carlow’s Little Drummin Bog June 12, 2019 - I was so delighted to be part of this wonderful eco-social art project and exhibition last Thursday – it was a joy to support this fun and important project with amazing project designer-organiser, artist Jules Michael, and artist Annabel Konig and others from the Drummin Bog voluntary committee. And to use knowledge from my doctoral…Read more Creative Ireland An Fraughan art programme: Three Neighbouring Schools Eco-Social Art Exhibition Creates Buzz for Carlow’s Little Drummin Bog
Symbiocene Art for the Art in the Anthropocene Conference, Trinity College Dublin June 3, 2019 - Goodbye Anthropocene – Hello Symbiocene at Trinity College Dublin Update Sept 2019 delighted to announce my article will be re-published in the source book “Plasticity – the global reader” (working title) being published in coming winter 2019 by Centre for Contemporary Art U-jazdowski Castle in Warsaw. The editorial ambition is to present the idea of…Read more Symbiocene Art for the Art in the Anthropocene Conference, Trinity College Dublin- An Urgent Conversation for the Arts in Ireland May 29, 2019 - Update 2 July 2019 : Since giving this talk there has been an important development for arts and sustainability in Ireland. On 28 June Creative Carbon Scotland announced that Caitriona Fallon and Theatre Forum Ireland had been assisted by them to set up a Green Initiative for Arts in Ireland. Read more here on my…Read more An Urgent Conversation for the Arts in Ireland
An Fraughan Art Exhibition for Drummin Bog: Drummond, Co. Carlow, Thurs 6 June 2019 May 28, 2019 - The Drummin Bog Project is delighted to annouce an exhibition to celebrate the work of the children from the national schools of Drummond, Glynn and Newtown, Co. Carlow. The An Fraughan project, led by artist Jules Michael, supported by Cathy Fitzgerald, Annabel Konig and Ema McGrath, is a collaboration between the pupils of the schools,…
Hollywood Forest School – developing ecoliteracy for creative practices May 27, 2019 - Cathy Fitzgerald shares how Hollywood Forest is becoming a 'forest school' for artists and others thinking about applying ecoliteracy to their creative practices. Hollywood forest is part of the #GreenWave for #Ireland
Ar scáth a chéile… Living in harmony May 23, 2019 - Originally posted on Scéalta Ealaíne:
Scroll down for the English language version – and there’s also a foxy video below, for your delectation. Sé mhí ó shin chuala mé sionnach i gcoim na h-oíche. Screadach uaigneach dodhearmadta ar nós bean sí, is dócha, a bhí ann. (Níor chuala mé bean sí riamh). Anois…
Good-Bye Anthropocene – Hello Symbiocene! May 10, 2019 - The first Irish signatory to #CultureDeclaresEmergency and eco-social artist, researcher and educator, Dr Cathy Fitzgerald, discusses the new era, the Symbiocene. The Symbiocene is the new epoch in human history, beyond the ecocide of the Anthropocene, in which emergent humanity celebrates and respects all life's diversity and develops new Earth-aligned intellectual and emotional features. Cathy's talk identifies that the Symbiocene can help cultural workers and others frame their work, especially ecological art practices situated in communities that help people envision new ideas, practices and values for a better, more just and beautiful world. Cathy uses the Symbiocene to help deepen understanding of her ongoing eco-social art practice: The Hollywood Forest Story - 'the little wood that could'. See hollywoodforest.com/portfolio/ongoi…d-forest-story/
Cathy was invited by Dr. Nessa Cronin, Irish Studies, National University of Galway and Professors Karen Till and Gerry Kearns, Maynooth University, Ireland to speak for the Art & Geography: Art, Activism and Social Engagement in the Age of the Capitalocene panel at the 7th EU Geo Congress in Galway, recorded 16 May 2019.
Cathy wishes to acknowledge Dr Frances Fahy and Dr. Kathy Reilly (EUGEO Conference Co-Chairs and organisers for the bursary that she was awarded that enable her to attend the congress). 
EUGEO 2019 Galway: Good-Bye Anthropocene – Hello Symbiocene: articulating eco-social art practices that promote ecoliteracy and agency to help us move beyond 10,000 years of ecocide May 8, 2019 - Next week is a busy time for me in Galway. I posted last week about giving a talk about my interest in the absence of cultural policy for the environmental emergency I’m giving next Tuesday 14 May. However, later in the week I was awarded a bursary to give a short paper also…Read more EUGEO 2019 Galway: Good-Bye Anthropocene – Hello Symbiocene: articulating eco-social art practices that promote ecoliteracy and agency to help us move beyond 10,000 years of ecocide
Cultural Climates: Fostering Art for Sustainability – Time for a New Cultural Policy? Moore Institute, Galway May 3, 2019 - Dr. Cathy Fitzgerald will be speaking with Dr Iain Biggs at a public forum and discussion on what role the arts and cultural sectors can, and need to, play in addressing the issues of ecological crisis in this a time of climate emergency. My thanks to Dr Nessa Cronin, NUIG and Prof Karen E. Till and Prof. Gerry Kearns of Maynooth University. All Welcome!
Art.Earth artist of the month Cathy Fitzgerald and The Hollywood Forest Story: an ongoing eco-social art practice for permanent forestry in Ireland and elsewhere May 1, 2019 - Ahead of the international summit on cultural responses to ‘Evolving the Forest‘ taking place in Dartington Hall, near Totnes, Devon, England this June, I was asked by Mark Leahy, of the Directors of the international ecoart network art.earth, to respond to some questions and discuss my work as featured art.earth artist of the month. This…Read more Art.Earth artist of the month Cathy Fitzgerald and The Hollywood Forest Story: an ongoing eco-social art practice for permanent forestry in Ireland and elsewhere
Earth Day 2019: We need to finish the work of Earth-law warrior Polly Higgins April 22, 2019 - Sometimes a voice is sent to calm our deepest fears Sometimes a hearty laugh will banish all our tears Sometimes words will wing our dreaming ever higher And sometimes a mind will set our imaginations afire. John Quinn, Walking on the Pastures of Wonder, 2015 Today, is a very poignant Earth Day. Last night, on…Read more Earth Day 2019: We need to finish the work of Earth-law warrior Polly Higgins
I Dare You to Be Great: Love the Earth and Help Make it a Crime to Destroy the Earth April 10, 2019 - Imagine how powerful it would be if Greta Thunberg's million+ student's school strike movement connected with Polly Higgin's work to criminalise ecocide. An international crime of ecocide would immediately signal to corporations and heads of state that they would be legally accountable for destroying ecosystems.
Culture Declares Emergency: signing up from Ireland April 3, 2019 - “Humanity faces the combined catastrophes of climate change, a mass extinction of vital biodiversity and a degradation of ecosystems health everywhere,” said Lucy Neal, spokesperson for Culture Declares Emergency. “This has now become an emergency situation because governments and industry have not shown the necessary leadership, and, so far, have not acted fast enough. Fortunately,…Read more Culture Declares Emergency: signing up from Ireland
The 9 Stones Artists’ Book Project February 8, 2019 - Originally posted on The Nine Stones Artists South County Carlow:
The 9 Stones Artists’ Book installed in Visual on a special bench of flattened corrugated iron and glass, designed by 9 Stones Artist Remco De Fouw On display at Visual, Centre for Contemporary Art Carlow. 09 February – 19 May 2019 Opening Sat 9 February…
Hollywood forest in Carlow is a citizen scientist for soil and climate with EU GROW Observatory December 7, 2018 - Creating a ‘global soil map’ to show how soil, from where we were born across the Earth, connects and supports us all, with Monkeyshine Theatre at the Grow Observatory Citizen Workshop at VISUAL Carlow on 1 Dec, 2018 Update: Grow Observatory is taking part in Ireland, across two areas: the South East (Carlow, Kilkenny, South…Read more Hollywood forest in Carlow is a citizen scientist for soil and climate with EU GROW Observatory
PhD by Practice – The Ecological Turn: Living Well with forests to explain eco-social art practices November 21, 2018 - I’m delighted to announce that this week I was conferred with a PhD by Practice in Visual Culture at the National College of Art and Design at a ceremony at University College Dublin. There are so, so many people to thank and I’m delighted to start to share some of my practice and research, FINALLY!…Read more PhD by Practice – The Ecological Turn: Living Well with forests to explain eco-social art practices
Deireadh Fomhair – The End of Autumn exhibition by Eoin Mac Lochlainn November 21, 2018 - “Deireadh Fomhair” is the title for this body of work, the Irish name for the month of October but literally translating as ‘the end of Autumn’. We have always taken the cycle of the seasons for granted in Ireland but with climate change, things have become more uncertain. When this Autumn ends, can we…Read more Deireadh Fomhair – The End of Autumn exhibition by Eoin Mac Lochlainn
Evolving the Forest, Creative Summit 19-21, 2019, Call for submissions October 30, 2018 - I have been lucky enough to attend two creative art and ecology summits organised by art.earth. Next year’s theme is all about forests so I’m very much hoping to attend!! I expect it will be not so much ‘evolving forests’, more that it will a rich event promoting conversations and creativity, practical and scientific knowledge,…Read more Evolving the Forest, Creative Summit 19-21, 2019, Call for submissions
Creative Ireland Carlow supports two Drummin Bog eco-social art projects June 12, 2018 - The Drummin Bog Projects are two of 16 community art projects supported by Creative Ireland Carlow in 2018-19. The Drummin Bog Project committee is delighted to announce that two proposals for the Drummin Bog Project are to be supported by Creative Ireland Carlow: The Bog Rosemary and Fraughan Projects, listed below, build on the initiative…
Albatross the film – translating grief through art inspires global #beatplasticpollution movement June 5, 2018 - Some of the key images that have caught our hearts have been the result of some tireless individuals, who with artistic skills have been translating the throw-away-and-forget horror of our modern way of life. I'm sharing news that in a few days, a lead artist against pollution, photographer Chris Jordan, whose images early on impressed initial horror and grief on the state of our oceans, is releasing his feature length film Albatross free to the world on World Ocean's Day June 8, 2018.
‘Raising the Shining, Reflective Shield’: the urgent need for art and sustainability policy for Ireland May 10, 2018 - A study I undertook last year (supported by a Carlow Arts Office award), which began as a review of international art and sustainability for County Carlow quickly grew to scope policy for Ireland. I have long felt that so much more could be done to highlight the central role culture has for engaging civil…Read more ‘Raising the Shining, Reflective Shield’: the urgent need for art and sustainability policy for Ireland
Contributing to the Cowhouse Studios ‘How to Flatten A Mountain’ 2018 artists residency April 19, 2018 - Eco-social artist Cathy Fitzgerald, will be offering an ecoliteracy toolbox of sorts for the Cowhouse Studios 2018 How to Flatten a Mountain Artists Residency : comprising ideas from science, environmental philosophy, and examples from effective and established eco-social art practices. The aim is to help the artists reflect on how they might more accurately read the environmental realities here during their residency, but also to equip the artists with new ways of thinking for their own home places, so they can create informed and engaging responses for their audiences.
Celebrating Carlow’s Drummin Bog legacy landscape at VISUAL Carlow December 11, 2017 - On Saturday last we were absolutely delighted as over 200 people came out to celebrate and support Drummin Bog at VISUAL, Carlow. The response to the artworks, the information desk and the event overall was absolutely wonderful, with people coming from Carlow town and county but also further afield from Dublin, Kildare, Laois and Wexford.…
the key role of eco-social art practices to envision life-sustaining futures December 4, 2017 - The bodily exertions endured by Robinson during his researches and observations are, once more, indexical of a decelerated ecological vision – a mode of discovery and living that privileges immersion and depth in its relationship with the living landscape’s storehouse of natural and cultural imprints. Eoin Flannery, 2016, ‘Essayist of Place: Postcolonialism and Ecology’, p.223.…Read more the key role of eco-social art practices to envision life-sustaining futures
Hidden: REVEAL See artworks online for Carlow Drummin Bog Project fundraiser Saturday 2 Dec, 5.30-7pm VISUAL Carlow November 24, 2017 - Please see images below for the artworks kindly donated to the Drummin Bog Project Fundraiser Art Event. Click on an image to see the full-size artwork itself and to enjoy all the artworks as slideshow. The work will also be installed in VISUAL, Carlow to view from Wednesday 29th November. Names of participating artists will…
Understanding a place “without shortcuts”: exploring the Tim Robinson archive August 24, 2017 - On such occasions the basic act of attention that creates a place out of a location would be renewed, enhanced by whatever systems of understanding we can muster, from the mathematical to the mythological, by the passion of poetry, or by simple enjoyment of the play of light on it. Here is a gateway to…Read more Understanding a place “without shortcuts”: exploring the Tim Robinson archive 
Close-to-Nature continuous cover forest management day and practical guide launch, near Borris, Co. Carlow April 7, 2017 - Some of you know that I am away from Ireland presently due to family reasons. As such, I’m very sorry to be missing the very first Pro Silva Ireland Close-to-Nature forestry management day in my home area. I work voluntarily with the committee of Pro Silva Ireland who are organising this event (22 April 2017), …Read more Close-to-Nature continuous cover forest management day and practical guide launch, near Borris, Co. Carlow
Visiting the Sessile Oaks of Raheen Forest, Tuamgreany, East Clare, West Ireland October 13, 2016 - I was back in the woods with my ProSilva Ireland forest family last weekend. With foresters, ecologists, forest owners, tree-harvesters, forestry students and newcomers, we visited the beautiful broadleaf and conifer-mixed Raheen forest near Scariff in Co. Clare (West Ireland). There are remnants of wonderful ancient Sessile Oak woods there (picture above), and they, and…Read more Visiting the Sessile Oaks of Raheen Forest, Tuamgreany, East Clare, West Ireland
Mapping Spectral Traces 8: The Place of the Wound – Attending to places wounded by the legacies of historical violence September 12, 2016 - “The struggle of embracing our moment—is the struggle that we live in the most destructive moment in 65 million years!” Brian Swimme, Professor of Integral Studies and evolutionary philosopher, The New Story, 2006 “There are opportunities even in the most difficult moments.” Dr. Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize winner, first woman in Africa to get…Read more Mapping Spectral Traces 8: The Place of the Wound – Attending to places wounded by the legacies of historical violence
Sharing the Hollywood project in the Open Fields – Riga 2016 September 4, 2016 - I’m delighted to have been invited to share my creative transversal research and practice in Riga, Latvia at the end of the month. I was attracted to apply to share my work at this conference because of the questions that frame the event (see below) and I was doubly delighted to find that my travel…Read more Sharing the Hollywood project in the Open Fields – Riga 2016
Cathy Davey Sings Us A New Forest August 27, 2016 - Eco-forest artist and art researcher Cathy Fitzgerald reviews Irish singer-songwriter Cathy Davey's music and videos for her New Forest (2016) album. Fitzgerald reflects how art is a powerful means and meme to engage and convey more life-sustaining eco-social understanding of the Symbiocene.
The art of Sitka spruce twigs, mud and moss: now at VISUAL Carlow August 20, 2016 - This is an update of a post I wrote on 20 August 2013. Found abandoned on the floor of Hollywood last weekend, two works of art…
Why ancient tree knowledge in Ireland matters today: Blackstairs Ecotrails film and Ogham tree-teaching stone August 17, 2016 - Today, Ireland only has remnants of its ancient forests and has one of the lowest levels of tree cover in Europe. While afforestation is promoted with plantations of conifers and native trees (tree cover across Ireland is around 12%) there is value in considering how ancient forests were once regarded. Ireland was deforested over many…Read more Why ancient tree knowledge in Ireland matters today: Blackstairs Ecotrails film and Ogham tree-teaching stone
Review and Opening of the 9 Stones Artists Possibilities of Place exhibition: continues to 16 Oct, 2016 – VISUAL Carlow August 5, 2016 - This is an update of some of the press and media regarding the 9 Stones Artists Group Show I am involved with, and which is on show until 16 October. Celebrating ten years of working together, the 9 Stones Artists The Possibilities of Place exhibition has been an exciting means to share their work in the incredible…Read more Review and Opening of the 9 Stones Artists Possibilities of Place exhibition: continues to 16 Oct, 2016 – VISUAL Carlow
Reversing Silent Spring at Visual Carlow July 5, 2016 - Details of Cathy Fitzgerald's Reversing Silent Spring at Visual Carlow 2 July-16 Oct 2016 for the 9 Stone Artists' Possibilities of Place exhibition.
The Possibilities of Place June 4, 2016 - “The artists whose work we see around us have done their job with great skill, vision and imagination. Such inner exploration helps us to talk to ourselves and each other at a deeper level. It carries news of where we live and who we are and what we think is important. It undermines and reinforces.…Read more The Possibilities of Place
Findhorn film: An Enquiry into a New Story for Humanity April 29, 2016 - This weekend the oldest eco-village, Findhorn, launches an important film to commemorate its extraordinarily ambitious 2014 New Story Summit. I have just read a review by one of the talented filmmakers, Rhonda Fabian, who I had the good fortune to meet at the Summit. 
Re-imagining forests for Ireland in 2016 and beyond March 27, 2016 - I was surprised and delighted to be asked by Dr. Deirdre O’Mahony to contribute a poster to the Teagasc and Galway County Council Farming and County Life 1916-2016 event, which seeks to commemorate the 100th year of Ireland’s Rising and to reflect on developments in farming and country life across Ireland over the last century.…Read more Re-imagining forests for Ireland in 2016 and beyond
Operation Transformation to Continuous Cover Forestry November 16, 2015 - Originally posted on Pro Silva Ireland:
Photos and an article from ProSilva Ireland field day at Knockrath Forest, Co. Wicklow – Sat 3 Oct 2015. ProSilva Ireland wishes to thanks the Brabazon family at Knockrath Co. Wicklow for an important ProSilva Ireland field day. We were fortunate to have Duncan Stewart and the EcoEye team…
Wexford art students visit Hollywood (and Holly) April 20, 2015 - The other day I had a group of college art students visiting Hollywood – most of them didn’t seem to know the rate of biodiversity loss that industrial land and ocean practices are causing – the estimated and unprecedented loss of 150 species a day (UN, 2010 figures).
‘Lines of flight’ from the Hollywood project March 9, 2015 - Cathy Fitzgerald reflects on other close-to-nature, non clearfell forests being inspired by the Hollywood ecoart project, with Nicola Brown and Fritz Ringal, under the Blackstairs Mountains, Ireland.
This morning I awoke to the sound of birdsong… February 18, 2015 - Originally posted on expressions of an intimate ecology:
This morning I awoke to the sound of birdsong drifting through dawn-lit windows The small, humble things in life offering sustenance in this big, big world Spring hath sprung… birdsong, compressed charcoal on paper © p ward 2015 “Curiously in amongst this plethora of Buddhism there was…
Hollywood breakup on Valentines day – divesting from fossil fuels February 13, 2015 - A small continuous cover forest in Ireland, Hollywood, is helping spread news of the urgent need to #divest from fossil fuels today 13 Feb 2015- Hollywood joins collective sustainability conversation at The Lab Gallery, Dublin February 10, 2015 - Pathways Towards Sustainability. A Collective Conversation. At the Lab.ie, Dublin. This panel discussion with Conall O’Connor, Cathy Fitzgerald, Meadhbh OConnor, Dr. Tamara Hochstrasser will map the ways in which individuals working in different fields are driving and implementing change towards a more environmentally sustainable future.
The Holly and the Ivy from Hollywood December 23, 2014 - Dear Hollywood diary readers and the increasing number of visitors to Hollywood, Many thanks for your comments, interest and support for the Hollywood project over the year. They have meant such a lot for this long, meandering artful-forest work. Here’s wishing you all a very merry Christmas from us all at Hollywood! PS – If…Read more The Holly and the Ivy from Hollywood- The DOORS at Hollywood November 28, 2014 - Elm timber from the Blackstairs, Co. Carlow turned into bespoke doors for Hollywood, by master woodworker Albert Fogarty.
- Live at Hollywood during the Rural Blackstairs Film Festival 2014 November 11, 2014 - Eco artist Cathy Fitzgerald held a space for conversation about transforming a conifer plantation into a permanent, continuous cover forest during the 1st Blackstairs Rural Film Festival. See the photos here.
Sharing the Hollywood project during the new Blackstairs Rural Film Festival October 26, 2014 - Cathy Fitzgerald is sharing the Hollwood artful forest transformation project at the new Blackstairs Rural Film Festival in South Co. Carlow Ireland. Details of the event are described.
Circles for change: supporting ourselves and our ‘new stories’ October 21, 2014 - Some perspectives of the Findhorn New Story Summit from Cathy Fitzgerald. New social structures; circle formations, sociocracy and The Grief Ritual as elements for eco-social change.
Follow the International Findhorn New Story Summit live and in Kilkenny September 24, 2014 - Details on the Findhorn New Story Summit and the Kilkenny Summit Hub by Cathy Fitzgerald, a participant for the Summit from Ireland. This Findhorn summit follows the 2014 #PeoplesClimate march and the UN Climate summit in New York and discusses the call to action poem representing civil society 'Dear Matafele Peinem' by Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner- Co-producing knowledge with the more-than-human world: 2014 International Royal Geography Society society conference August 26, 2014 - Update 2016: some of the proceedings from the More-than-human-participatory research group’ sessions are to be published by Routledge in a new text called Participatory Research in More-Than-Human Worlds Image above: recently a small robin has sought to move inside our house in Hollywood – we’ve been enjoying flying antics and stunning arias from this tiny…Read more Co-producing knowledge with the more-than-human world: 2014 International Royal Geography Society society conference
- Sharing the Hollywood story at the International Findhorn New Story Summit July 9, 2014 - Holly, Hollywood and me - we'll be sharing our story 'Resiliencies: stories of transformation from within a small Irish forest' at the Findhorn International Summit on New Stories in late September 2014.
Presenting at the ASLE-UKI Locating Ecocriticism: Systems, Methodologies, Contexts conference at UCD, Dublin July 3, 2014 - Screen Shot 2014-03-26 at 01.10.02
At the end of this month Cathy Fitzgerald is presenting her artful eco forest research-in-progress at the 2014 ASLE-UKI (United Kingdom and Ireland) Postgraduate Conference "Locating Ecocriticism: Systems, Methodologies, Contexts: in Dublin, 30-31 July 2014, at University College, Dublin. 
Review of 9 Stones Artists Show at Borris 13-15 June 2014 June 21, 2014 - Originally posted on The Nine Stones Artists South County Carlow:
“The 9 Stones Artists are a cut above most other groups of their kind. Their art is inquisitive of new technique and subject matter; they bring science and nature together subtly and convincingly and produce images that are pleasing and appealing. There is an intellectual…
ProSilva Ireland attends first international Continuous Cover forestry conference in UK June 21, 2014 - Originally posted on Pro Silva Ireland:
One of the many workshops held over the three days Continuous Cover forestry conference organised by CCFG in the Lake District, Cumbria UK A number of ProSilva Ireland members recently attended the Continuous Cover forestry conference in the UK. It was a comprehensive conference with a number of field…
Co-production of knowledge with non-humans from Hollywood May 28, 2014 - Image above: We have a couple of pairs of pigeons at Hollywood, living and cooing away quite happily amongst the conifers. They love the rowan berries from a few rowan trees we planted on the edge of Hollywood some years ago and have successfully spread rowan and beech seeds from further afield through the forest.…Read more Co-production of knowledge with non-humans from Hollywood
Upcoming ProSilva Ireland field day at Glengarrif, West Cork on Saturday 17 May 2014 May 15, 2014 - Originally posted on Pro Silva Ireland:
This forest field day will concentrate on forests and biodiversity. ProSilva committee member and ecologist Faith Wilson will lead the day with ProSilva Austrian forester Georg Frank. The field day will focus on the theme of forest management and biodiversity enhancement and field day stops will be at various…- 9 Stones Exhibition at ‘Borris Town House’ during Borris House Festival of Writing and Ideas 13-15 June May 13, 2014 - Originally posted on The Nine Stones Artists South County Carlow:
? 9 Stones Artists Opening 13 June at 6pm – ALL WELCOME! (the night before the Borris Festival of Writing and Ideas begins) Uniting for our fifth group show, the 9 Stones Artists will present an exciting exhibition of recent and site-specific works in Borris… 
Celebrating Earth Day 2014 at Hollywood, Co. Carlow with Green Sod Ireland April 23, 2014 - It was lovely yesterday evening to celebrate all things earthy and green for Green Sod Ireland’s Earth day walk. It was a soft grey evening and Mary White of Blackstairs Eco trails led the walk down the lanes right next to Hollywood. Mary gave us information on the history of the lane and many of…Read more Celebrating Earth Day 2014 at Hollywood, Co. Carlow with Green Sod Ireland
Green Sod Ireland Wild-Awake Walk for Earth Day 2014 near Blackstairs Mtns and Hollywood April 7, 2014 - Green Sod Ireland Wild-Awake Walk for Earth Day 2014 near Blackstair Mtns Co. Carlow and the smallest Close-to-Nature forest, Hollywood -with Mary White of BlackstairsEcotrails.ie and Cathy Fitzgerald ecoartfilm.com
Before 2013
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NOTE:
My first blog both surveyed the art and ecology field and the beginning of the Hollywood Forest Story in May 2008. It is archived at ecoartnotebook.wordpress.com
