In Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter offended Time, trapping his guests in an endless, chaotic cycle of consumption. Today, that surreal madness feels all too familiar—endless production, ticking climate target deadlines, and relentless waste.

We’re rewriting the story…….

Welcome to The Mad Otter’s Tea Party, a headline gathering in our Future Ancestor Series. Guided by the Otter, the animal spirit of Berba, goddess of our ancient River Barrow. We are trading linear chaos for the timeless, sacred rhythms of nature.

By grounding our local heritage in ecological action, this project acts as a living bridge between small-town Monasterevin and the broader vision of the European Union. Berba has witnessed generations pass along the Barrow, and today she calls on us to become good ancestors. As Ireland prepares for its 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we are putting continental environmental policies directly into the hands of our community—showing how the EU Green Deal, the Circular Economy Act, and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 flow right through our own backyard.

Step Into Nature’s Loop
When we gather to create art from our rivers and canals, we aren't just making objects; we are experiencing policy in action. Through sensory maps of the Natura 2000 network, participants will see how the River Barrow forms part of a continent-wide "ecological backbone," while celebrating investments like the Barrow Blueway that make our natural waterways accessible to all.

Wildflower Foraging: Reconnect with local biodiversity alongside the Moth, our surreal climate messenger and Berba the playful Otter. Join Bríd Brophy at 2 pm for a wildflower and foraging walk, an eco-friendly and sustainable way to deepen our understanding and connection with nature.
We will explore just how deeply Irish culture is connected to the land and waterways and its wild, wonderful abundance.

Sensory Mapping the River Barrow: in tandem with the Wildflower & Herb Foraging: Tastescape mapping connects geography, memory, and emotion through flavour. It treats food as a sensory landscape. On Water Heritage Day, we explored local heritage at risk, reflected on what the River Barrow provides for the more-than-human world, and mirrored her changing moods by mapping through our five senses.

What is a Sensory Map?
A Sensory Map is a creative walking map that captures an environment through the five senses: sight, sound, smell, touch/texture, and taste. Expressed through drawing, writing, 3D modelling, or mark-making or even held entirely in the mind’s eye through visualisation, every sensory map is as unique as the person creating it. Beyond physical sensations, these maps often capture the emotions and memories a place evokes.
Because everyone experiences the world differently, every sensory map is completely unique to the person who creates it. It is a wonderful way to rediscover familiar places and share fresh perspectives with others.

• Upcycling & Circular Design 10.30 am: Breathe new life into old teapots with hands-on upcycling workshops. Join Helen Stephenson for a very unique hands-on experience and transform old teapots and china into centrepieces! This workshop has very limited places and is suitable for those aged 16 and over only, due to the use of power tools. We will cut up and reassemble china and teapots into sculptural centrepieces. Think 3d collage with china!

• Heritage Letterpress Printing 2-4pm : Hand-print custom postcards on a vintage 1942 letterpress.

• Exhibitions & Eco-Dialogue: Explore radical hope, local wildlife, and the River Barrow’s protected status as a Special Area of Conservation.

Art Installations:

An installation in the Hopkins Garden of ceramic garden pieces created by Knit and Natter Collective on the theme of Peace, led by teacher _______. Knit and Natter is a group of women who meet on Wednesday night to talk about anything and everything and occupy ourselves with knitting. Through this, we have experienced many artistic expressions, willow weaving, painting and wonderful people.
We have broadened our horizons to places in the world where war and poverty are everyday experiences, eg Brazil, South Sudan, Honduras. This is what we call the ‘Global Citizenship Programme’. We have used this programme to help our local community understand local, national, and EU political processes. In all of this our lives have truly been enriched.

An installation of visual poetry inspired by the UNESCO-endorsed Earth Charter, through 6 Eco-Banners created by Anchor Youth Club and Athy Sing & Sign, will be displayed in the trees along Main Street. Visual Poem “The River” by Bríd Brophy will also be displayed in the trees. All the banners were created in a circular design using recycled fabrics.

Event Details
• Date: September 12th @ 2:00 PM
o Some workshops take place earlier, with works exhibited later as part the day.

• Location: Monasterevin Community Centre & Hopkins Gardens.

• Admission: Open to all—just bring your favourite teacup and leave the linear madness at the door.

Supporting Future Ancestor Series
We are extremely grateful to all supporters, without whom this event could not take place. Their support enables us to bridge the gap between art, ecology, and the River Barrow communities in Monasterevin and beyond.

• Monasterevin Community Centre
• Knit and Natter Collective
• Monasterevin Comhaltas
• Monasterevin Tidy Towns
• Monasterevin Womens Shed
• Monasterevin Drama Group

Click here for a map to Monasterevin.

This project is generously funded by the Communicating Europe Initiative (CEI) and the Department of Foreign Affairs, celebrating Ireland’s 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union.