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Future Ancestor Athy 2026
Honouring Berba: A Celebration of Heritage & Ecology
Athy Library Grounds | 16 May 2026 | Marking the Start of National Biodiversity Week
Blueway Art Studio and Doras na Feasa Collective are proud to present Future Ancestor Athy from 1-4pm on the 16th May 2026 in partnership with Athy Library. This immersive event weaves together eco-workshops, art installations, and live performances centred on Berba, the mythical Goddess of the River Barrow.
As a witness to all that has come before, Berba symbolises the interconnectedness of our past, present, and future. She remains a constant presence through changing times, representing the vital role of the River Barrow in the life and history of Athy.
“Future Ancestor Athy fosters behavioural change by strengthening the community’s sense of place, weaving together Earth Charter values, local folklore, and the living ecology of the River Barrow.”
Click here to Meet the Team & doras na feasa
Watch: The 2024 Pilot Festival
Check out our reel below to get a taste of the magic from our pilot event:
Our Foundation: The Earth Charter
The Earth Charter is a document featuring 16 principles that inspire a global movement to build a just, sustainable, and peaceful world. Born from a decade-long worldwide dialogue, the Charter emphasises our interdependence and shared responsibility for the well-being of all people, the greater community of life, and future generations.
Featured Socially-Engaged Projects
Future Ancestor Athy is proud to showcase the collaborative work of four distinct community projects:
| Project | Collaborators |
|---|---|
| Crann Taca (Anchor or Support Tree) | Anchor Youth Club & Emily Rainsford |
| The Moth Project | Athy Sing & Sign, Angelina Foster & Cathy Heffernan |
| Rafta Bherba | Athy Men’s Shed & Nessa Doran O’Reilly |
| One Voice. One Action. | Griese Youth Theatre |
Also Featuring:
- Performances by Athy Comhaltas reminding us of our roots and the power of music in honouring our ancestors, and rising star Makayla Chloe. Makayla is a singer-songwriter from Athy, County Kildare. A member of the young music collective MOA, she has already begun to make her mark, performing alongside renowned artists such as Bob Geldof and Amble.
- An ISL-supported walk & talk along the Barrow, led by Cliff Reid of Boattrips.ie
- Hands-on Learning: Free eco-workshops and interactive art installations throughout the grounds.
- Berba’s Reverie by Deirdre Southey
Berba’s Reverie by Deirdre Southey
— Amitav Ghosh, The Great Derangement
“When future generations look back upon the Great Derangement they will certainly blame the leaders and politicians… for their failure to address… climate… but they may well hold artists and writers to be equally culpable – for the imagining of possibilities is not after all, the job of politicians and bureaucrats.”
Investing in our Future Ancestors
We are extremely grateful to all our funders below, without whom this event could not take place. Their support enables us to bridge the gap between art, ecology, and communities in Athy and beyond.
- Kildare County Council, through the Climate Innovation Award
- Kildare Biodiversity Office, The Heritage Council & Kildare Creative Communities.
- Waterways Ireland
- Circular Communications Award from Circularity.ie through Doras na Feasa