Heritage at Risk: Connecting River Rights, Culture & Place | Lough Derg
Book your place here
Main event: 2-5pm | Mountshannon Hall
Optional morning visit: 10am-12pm | Inis Cealtra (Holy Island)
What happens when we begin to see the River Shannon not simply as a resource, or water running through the landscape, but as a living part of our cultural heritage?
This gathering at Lough Derg brings together communities, heritage practitioners, local knowledge holders and others connected to the Shannon to explore the relationship between river rights, cultural heritage and place.
The day includes an optional morning visit to Holy Island, which you can book directly through the ferryman (here), followed by the main gathering at Mountshannon Hall in the afternoon. You are very welcome to join us for the afternoon event only.
Together, we’ll explore how the emerging Rights of Rivers movement might offer new ways of thinking about heritage, protection and our relationship with the river. The approach builds on the wider and growing Rights of Nature movement, which is challenging conventional approaches to environmental protection by recognising ecosystems as living entities with inherent rights to exist, flourish and regenerate. Examples of success include the Whanganui River in New Zealand and the Atrato River in Colombia being recognised in law, Ecuador recognising the Rights of Nature in its constitution, The Mar Menor lagoon in Spain, and a growing number of UK councils and communities developing Rights of Rivers charters for rivers including the Ouse, Wye and Cam. Find out more about the Rights for Nature movement in Europe here.
We’ll explore
What is the connection between River Rights and Cultural Heritage?
What does it mean to recognise the Shannon as a living entity?
Which places, traditions and ecosystems are at risk?
How can communities become active guardians of the river and its heritage?
What might long-term care for the Shannon look like?
Programme
Optional Morning - Connecting with the River
10am-12pm | Inis Cealtra (Holy Island)
We will be going on a boat trip to Inis Centra to spend time connecting with the waters, landscape, history, and ecology. Boat trips will leave from Mount Shannon Harbour at 10am.
This is an optional, self-organised part of the day. Participants will need to arrange and pay for their own ferry journey here.
The visit offers an opportunity to experience the place together and reflect on the deep connections between the river, people, culture and heritage.
12:30-1:30pm | Return & lunch
Please bring a packed lunch if you are joining the morning visit.
Main Event - Heritage at Risk World Café
2-5pm | Mountshannon Hall
The afternoon is the main gathering and will include presentations, a panel conversation and facilitated small-group discussions.
Welcome & introduction
10 minutes
Why are we gathering, and what connects river rights, heritage and place?
Rights of Rivers
10 minutes
An introduction to the Rights of Rivers movement and its potential relevance to cultural heritage and the Shannon.
Panel discussion
40 minutes
Invited guests will explore different perspectives on the connections between heritage, river rights and guardianship.
World Café
1 hour
Small-group conversations will workshop different themes around the Rights of River Shannon, including:
River as Living Heritage
How might we understand the Shannon as more than a resource?
Heritage at Risk
What places, traditions and ecosystems need protection?
Future Guardianship
How can communities create lasting ways of caring for the river?
What we hope to achieve
This gathering is an opportunity to connect people and ideas across the Shannon, share knowledge and experiences, and explore new approaches to protecting the river and the heritage connected to it.
The conversations will contribute to:
Building a source-to-sea Shannon community network.
Sharing knowledge and perspectives around heritage protection.
Exploring community-led approaches to river guardianship.
Informing the development of a Shannon Rights of Rivers Charter.
Practical Information
Main event: The afternoon gathering at Mountshannon Hall runs from 2-5pm and is open to everyone interested in the conversation.
Holy Island: The morning visit is optional and self-organised. Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own ferry journey. Ferry information will be shared in advance.
Lunch: Please bring a packed lunch if joining the morning visit.
Refreshments: Light refreshments will be provided during the afternoon session.
You don’t need to attend the morning visit to join the main event.
Come for the river, the stories and the conversation; and help imagine what it could mean to care for the Shannon as living heritage.