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Blueway Art Studio

Future Ancestor

Reconnecting communities to the rivers that support life on earth

Future Ancestor is about using the arts as a force for change. Rooted in the River Barrow’s folklore and the UNESCO-endorsed Earth Charter, we work with communities along the Barrow to challenge old patterns and spark new behaviours — through storytelling, public art and circular practice.

Sunlight and trees reflected in the still water of the River Barrow
Future Ancestor

Our Projects

Since 2024, Future Ancestor has grown into a series of collaborative projects along the Barrow, with artists and communities. Together they form the working body of Berba's story in practice.

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Future Ancestor Project 2026 Subtitle for This Block Text for This Block Future Ancestor Project 2026 Honouring Berba: A Celebration of Heritage & Ecology … Read more →
Future Ancestor Pilot Project 2024 The next Future Ancestor Athy will take place in Athy, Co Kildare, Ireland on 16th May 2026, on Athy Library grounds. See new project page f… Read more →
How to be a Good Ancestor How to be a Good Ancestor is an intergenerational project exploring the values of the UNESCO-endorsed Earth Charter with Anchor Youth Group … Read more →
abstract image of the Berba river

Before the Barrow, the river was Berba.

Berba is the river’s first recorded name in the Dindshenchas, the medieval catalogue of Irish placename lore. Her story was lost to centuries of colonisation. See Berba’s Story for more on how we rebuilt her story.

Future Ancestor

What's next?

Since 2024, Future Ancestor has grown into a series of collaborative projects along the Barrow, with artists and communities. Together they form the working body of Berba's story in practice.

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Mad Otter Tea Party Future Ancestor Series: The Mad Otter’s Tea Party Tick-tock… or is it time to stop the clock?"I'm late, I'm late! For a very important … Read more → Future Ancestor Athy Festival Subtitle for This Block Text for This Block Future Ancestor Athy 2026 Honouring Berba: A Celebration of Heritage & Ecology Ath… Read more →
abstract image of a river

Why our rivers matter

“If we save the sea, we save our world.”

The ocean and its many rivers cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface, regulating our climate and producing most of our oxygen. Protecting them requires collective, tangible action from all of us. Future Ancestor starts where the sea begins… in the rivers that feed it.

Future Ancestor exists to improve these numbers.

79%

People in Athy don’t know that the River Barrow is EU Protected (survey 2024)

33

The River Barrow has 13 species & 33 habitats protected in Barrow/Nore SAC

36%

Only 36% of the Barrow catchment has a good ecological status.

abstract image of a river

Our future plans

A festival along the river

We’re building the first water parade on the River Barrow in living memory — check out our collaboration with Athy Men’s Shed. “Rafta Bherba”, led by Nessa Doran O’Reilly, will create a regenerative, biodiversity-themed Berba Float. Taking inspiration from the Bosch Parade in the Netherlands, this will involve restoring a traditional open-water boat – our first festival float – while introducing participants to traditional Irish boat-building, conservation, and restoration techniques.

Read more about our future plans →

A locally rooted project, internationally recognised.

From Athy to the Hague

Four pillars, one river, thirty partners, and a story published as the first Irish entry in the Earth Stories Collection.

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Volunteers in high-vis vests helping visitors at an outdoor community event

© 2026 Blueway Art Studio & Doras na Feasa Collective.

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