News Release: Upcycled Railway Art Celebrates Conservation of Ireland's Largest Little Tern Colony

Iarnród Éireann News Release

 

 

   19^th November, 2024

 

Upcycled Railway Art Celebrates Conservation of Ireland's Largest Little Tern Colony

Creative Ireland and Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail Back Local Project to Inspire Biodiversity Action

An innovative new art installation, built from decommissioned Iarnród Éireann safety signage, was unveiled today in Kilcoole beach, Co. Wicklow, in celebration of Ireland’s largest Little Tern colony. Part of Tern the Tide, an initiative funded by Creative Ireland and Iarnród Éireann, the installation was created by artists to inspire awareness of coastal biodiversity and its exposure to on-going climate change along the eastern seaboard. The aim of the installation is to encourage community awareness of our natural environment and assist Birdwatch Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in their efforts to protect these rare migratory birds.

The unveiling included the hoisting of a Little Tern residency flag, signalling the significance of the conservation site, which has been managed by BirdWatch Ireland for over 30 years. Designed to alert visitors, walkers and dog owners to exercise caution in the area, the flag will be raised again during Little Tern nesting season (May – August), when the birds return from their wintering grounds in West Africa to breed along the shingle beach.

Artists Marie Gordon and Laura McMahon led the project through community workshops that engaged local residents in conservation learning and hands-on creativity. Located beside the Dublin-Rosslare Railway line, Kilcoole beach—the site of this new sculpture—hosts over half of Ireland’s Little Tern population. The railway crossing at Kilcoole Station was considered the most appropriate site to raise public awareness of the Little Tern bird community.

“This installation is the powerful example of how art and conservation can come together to both celebrate and protect these remarkable birds,” said Marie Gordon and Laura McMahon, the lead artists for the project. “A special thanks to Creative Ireland, BirdWatch Ireland, the Kilcoole community, and Iarnród Éireann, whose support and contributions made this project possible. We hope it inspires greater awareness of, and involvement in, climate action.”

As a key project partner, Iarnród Éireann provided 40 decommissioned railway signs from its Portlaoise Sleeper Depot, which the artists skilfully transformed into Little Tern sculptures. To further support the site’s biodiversity, Iarnród Éireann’s environmental team planted native pollinators around the installation, enhancing the local habitat and adding visual interest year-round.

This creative repurposing of materials showcases the potential of upcycling as a sustainable art practice and highlights Iarnród Éireann’s commitment to supporting Ireland’s biodiversity and the circular economy. Commenting on the project Joanne Bissett, Arts & Social Officer with Iarnród Éireann said, “Seeing our retired railway signage repurposed and reimagined into artwork celebrating Little Tern conservation is truly inspiring. It represents a real coming together of Ireland’s transport heritage and the environment. This initiative not only highlights Iarnród Éireann’s commitment to sustainable practices but also celebrates the Little Terns.”

Tern the Tide was designed to foster community engagement and environmental awareness. It will also demonstrate to the public how our use of the beach amenity can be controlled to reduce impacts on the Little Tern during their nesting period. Over the summer, local residents participated in free art workshops and educational sessions, hosted by the artists, and also involved talks by Birdwatch Ireland and Kicoole Biodiversity Group. Members of the Kilcoole Men’s Shed created Little Tern decoys from silicone moulds to support BirdWatch Ireland’s conservation efforts, leaving a lasting impact on the local Little Tern population.

Brian Burke, Sea Bird Scientist with Birdwatch Ireland, and Kilcoole, Little Tern Project Manager, remarked on the importance of the initiative: “The dedication of local residents and partners to protect Kilcoole’s Little Tern colony is extraordinary. This colony has grown from just 20 nesting pairs in the 1980s to 225 pairs today—a real conservation success story. The Tern the Tide installation is a beautiful reminder of how we can turn the tide on species protection when communities, artists, and conservationists work together.”

Adele Mealey from Creative Ireland closed by emphasising the broader impact of this project, saying; “Tern the Tide represents the very essence of Creative Ireland’s Creative Climate Action Fund. By merging art and community, and incorporating sustainable practices through upcycled materials, we’re supporting an initiative that raises awareness about biodiversity in a truly tangible way. Together with Iarnród Éireann and BirdWatch Ireland, we’re proud to create opportunities that foster a deeper appreciation for Ireland’s natural heritage and inspire climate-conscious actions.”

For more information on Tern the Tide project visit www.ternthetide.com.

Video on the project available to view here :

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bWvFmVZiYZo&feature=youtu.be

Issued by:

Corporate Communications,

Iarnród Éireann,

Connolly Station,

Dublin 1.

 

For more information, please contact Jane Cregan 086 8531098

Notes to Editor:

About the Project

The "Tern the Tide" project is a part of Creative Ireland’s Climate Action Fund, backed by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, in partnership with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and supported by Iarnród Éireann under its CIÉ Sustainability programme. The project is designed to celebrate Kilcoole’s Little Tern conservation work, one of only two large colonies in Ireland and the UK – offering an inspiring vision of collective environmental action. Through local engagement and sustainable practices this partnership exemplifies how public art can drive community-based environmental awareness, spotlighting the impact of climate change on fragile ecosystems.

Background: Creative Climate Action and Collaborative Conservation

Led by artists Marie Gordon and Laura McMahon, Tern the Tide blends artistic expression with meaningful climate action. Through hands-on workshops and consultations with experts at Moneypenny’s Blacksmithing Forge and Dublin’s Fire Station Artist Studios, the artists transformed Iarnród Éireann's retired railway materials into a vibrant public artwork. This installation is part of a broader Creative Ireland initiative aimed at empowering communities to address biodiversity challenges through local action, demonstrating that when we invest in conservation and climate awareness at a grassroots level, impactful change is possible.