top of page
Search

Father Ted, salty craic, sea shanties, big waves, hermaphrodites and MPAs.

  • Writer: Tom
    Tom
  • Jul 30
  • 8 min read

Updated: Jul 31

By the beard of Poseidon we nailed it. Tom Popple

If we put it out to a vote I'm pretty sure our Galway "Sea Change" event would top the list for the most dramatic, fun, insightful and inspirational event ever hosted by the Climate Cocktail Club. Plus we fed every good Geographer's itch by hosting a field trip to the Cuan Beo oyster restoration projects in Galway Bay. Oh and we had fresh oysters, a community Cobh-based sea shanty a capella outfit, free pints and almost 150 sweaty salt-encrusted ocean lovers keeping each other company. Sample the highlights here.

Yes native Irish oysters are hermaphrodites. Cuan Beo

For a hardy and keen cohort of 25 Clubbers the day started on a mini-bus venturing out of Galway on the Wild Atlantic Way, through Oranmore for a pick up of sensible shoe-wearing people (and a case of cocktails, beers and ice) and onto Ballinderreen for a walk to the pier. Hosted by the force of nature that is the Cuan Beo team (Michael, Diarmuid and Colm at the helm) we took an educational tour of the restoration project, from school engagement, creative activities, science-backed policy examples (and lobbying), heritage and history (yes native Irish oysters are hermaphrodites) to the pier where we were served fresh Kelly's oysters and a range of delicious cold drinks (thanks again Rachel and Diageo).



The evening kicked off from 1800 at the stunning Genesys community meeting space in the Bonham Quay development. Split across two rooms and a breathtaking terrace overlooking the bay the Clubbers set the world to rights one cocktail/pint, oyster and conversation at a time. The barnacle-clad band of sea shanty singers - Molgoggers - surprised and delighted the crowd with a rapturous repertoire of old and original songs, connecting to the heart of the CCC - people. What a start.


At the heart of the challenges facing our ocean lies a profound disconnect. Tonight’s event was a powerful reminder of the importance of reconnection — bringing people together to begin writing a new love story for the ocean, one rooted in creativity, courage, and community. Dr Easkey Britton

I’m calling on the people of Ireland, and Galway specifically, to start having ‘notions about oceans’ and recognise our potential for Galway to be an ocean capital of the world. Hope that we can all get in the boat and row together! Prof. Frances Fahy

Formally kicked off by a wavy welcome by our founder Tom Popple (who managed to get the crowd to make the sound of seagulls and whales... we hope that's on camera!), we swiftly moved onto our grounding session. Led by Dr Easkey Britton who I'm certain has a mermaid tale hidden somewhere, such is her understanding and bond with the blue ocean. Allowing a moment for us to stop, breathe and reflect, we found ourselves in our own ocean world, a past moment of wonder or enjoyment. A magical start connecting the human to the science that we'll explore later. We followed with a special screening of Éiru - co-produced by 5-time Academy Award nominated animation studio Cartoon Saloon and HerStory. This was the first screening of the feature outside its premiere. We explored its crafting, meaning and purpose with Melanie Lynch and Easkey, connecting with the concept of a Goddess and our mythological roots, and those synergies with the current ecological and climate crises, and fundamentally the power of storytelling in unlocking complex or fearful topics - like nature loss. Melanie asked us to reconnect with the joy of the ocean and Easkey reminded us that humans are 70% saline.



The schedule split into two rooms - with the main room focusing on policy and impact; and the cocktail room storytelling and case studies.

Every second breath we take is from the ocean. Jack O'Donovan Trá
ree

Kicking off the main room the no punches-pulled Jack O'Donovan Trá of Fair Seas set us straight on what action, impact and protection could and should be like for Irish seas. Using the scientific medium of Father Ted (below), Jack told a powerful message of the difference between commitments and action, specifically in the world of politics. Jack reflected that we need to move beyond an extraction, extraction, extraction mindset, and reflect that 99% of the living space on earth is in the ocean. Bringing the audience on real tangible journey Jack provided a show-and-tell vibe using "mermaid's purses" to bring the audience to the shoreline. Apt - as some great public research indicates that four out five people support greater legal protection of oceans and the role of sustainable fisheries to thrive.Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) were explored and navigated, setting up a future conversation with the superhero that is Dr Rick Officer, CEO, Marine Institute.


Taking the stage for a compelling keynote Rick explored the systems, structures and frameworks that are in place and being enhanced to bring forward bold and balanced protection and development of our shared seas. Data and legal basis being two cornerstones, which had audible support from the audience. Framed as Marine Spatial Planning, Rick unpacked challenges on MPAs with a reframing of Marine "Prosperity" Areas, as a mechanism to recgonise the shared - and sometimes competing - opportunities of the seas. Opportunities that data and spatial planning can play an effective role in unlocking. Rick brought his global experience and spotlighted developments that were made in the world's largest protected area - The Great Barrier Reef - in Australia.



We closed off the keynotes in the main room with a visual feast courtesy of Dr Tom Gillespie Organiser of Irish Surf Film Festival. Using the stunning and dramatic images gathered through the annual photography competition we understood that the ocean is a play of joy, sport and awe. People use the ocean and its power. Adding to the science, biology and policy, this was a very human and bold imagining or our near shores.

the event was genuinely brilliant. It brought me into a whole new circle of people. Normally at these kinds of conferences, I’d know about 75% of the room, but at this one, I only knew 5 or 6. That was a real breath of fresh air — so thank you for opening me up to a new range of stakeholders. It was a really well-run event. Gareth Murphy

The room finished with a stellar panel of leading experts from across the ocean industry - Gareth Murphy, Seaweed Project Manager, Simply Blue Group, Prof. Frances Fahy, Director - Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Máire Éinniú, Head of Nua Mara, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Jack rejoining us for some Q&A. Building on the context for our oceans as a shared space we unpacked what that could mean and how its playing out in reality. Gareth showcased the innovative roll out of a world leading seaweed project, creating vertical forests between offshore wind turbines that allow harvesting as a bio crop. Frances made a bold call to action unlocking the power of Galway and its ocean-practitioner ecosystem to create the "Hobart" of the Northern Hemisphere. A rally cry plenty in the room heard and supported (t-shirts on the way I'm guessing). Máire framed the innovation role of the newly minted Nua Mara in identifying, supporting and scaling marine businesses across the Gaeltachta regions - flagging that over 80% of those regions are in coastal areas. Jack fielded some bold questions from the audience, exploring what MPAs should mean and reconnecting us with the fact that in the absences of bold government action eNGOs, communities and marine businesses are stepping up to take action now.



I think we need to try to reach the public through as many means of engagement as possible and I think this event is a very clever way to stimulate conversation and action. Martha Farrell

The cocktail room was captained by host Diane O'Connor, kicking us off with some bold humour and setting the scene for the first storytellers - Melanie Lynch and Joe Joyce, Master Currach and Boat Builder, Galway Hooker Sailing Club. Exploring a life on the seas and the community that has built up around the sailing club, boat building and connections with other communities across the world, Joe gave a personal and compelling dive into what it really means to be connected to the ocean. This was followed up with a fireside chat alongside Imelda McCarron and Ciara Herity of the Western Development Commission (WDC), sharing three key EU funded projects that have the potential to transform west coast communities and landscapes - GNP, Dibest, Circnets. The WDC is a bold, innovative and transformative organisation with the commitment (not just the mandate) to lead on the creation of a future-fit and resilient west coast where new opportunities for business go hand in hand with cultural preservation and bold landscape restoration.


The proceeding panel session gave the hot seat to three bold leaders from community-led groups across Ireland. Michael Officer framed how Cuan Beo is reigniting the cultural and ecological heartbeat of Galway Bay through community-powered oyster restoration and sustainable aquaculture. From native oyster beds to water literacy campaigns, they’re proving that a thriving bay starts with a connected coast. Next up Martha Farrell Co-Founder and Director, Maharees Conservation Association, told the story of what began as a local fight to protect fragile sand dunes has become a nationally recognised model of nature-based coastal resilience. Maharees Conservation brings together farmers, surfers, and scientists to defend Ireland’s wild edge—one grain of sand at a time. And through the timely finding of a message in bottle sparked a new campaign to connect coastal communities around the world (starting with Canada). Finally, Lucy Hunt, Ocean Impact Director, The Ocean Race, and Founder Sea Synergy, outlined a personal story of connection and enablement, from the work of Ocean Synergy empowering the next generation of marine leaders through hands-on blue science, ocean adventure and indigenous wisdom. By blending STEM, sea kayaking and storytelling, she's crafting a tidal wave of possibility for young people and their coastal communities. Lucy also touched on her leading role at The Ocean Race and its own synergies with the changemaker work she leads.

There’s nothing better than being in a room full of people who love the ocean as much as you do! Emer Shovlin

We closed the night with Emer Shovlin a Marine Scientist and entrepreneur showcasing a bold idea for ocean literacy through the development of a fact-led beer coaster enterprise that could inform, inspire and activate people whilst sipping pints! What a suitable end to the Climate Cocktail Club agenda!


We closed out the night with thanks to all our partners, specifically the Western Development Commission as the Lead Partner, which unlocked the magic of the night for the CCC and our Clubbers. Then more sea shanties, pints and chat on the terrace as the sun slowly set on Galway bay and the start of something special.



Huge thank you to all the partners of the Climate Cocktail Club, without their sponsorship and support these events would not happen. Plus a massive shout out to Joe McKenna of Peatland & People Foundation (and Erinn Innovaiton) who's operational support ensured the event had a bold venue to kick off Galway.


The Climate Cocktail Club operates on a voluntary basis and needs the support of partners to ensure the events are a success - please support our future events and become a sponsor.


See you next time.

Tom

Climate Cocktail Club



Kommentare

bottom of page