UISCE – Celebrating Ireland’s Weather, Water & Words
This October, Kerry Writers’ Museum will host UISCE, a day-long celebration of Ireland’s weather, water, and culture, exploring how these elements continue to shape our landscapes, communities, and creativity.
Taking place on Sunday 19th October, UISCE will feature talks, poetry, walks, and exhibitions — inviting visitors to connect with nature, reflect on change, and be inspired by the stories that flow through North Kerry.
Floods, Folklore & the River Feale
The day will begin at 10.30am with local historian Tom Dillon, who will present Floods, Folklore and the River Feale: Cultural Interactions of a Spate River. His talk will explore how the Feale has influenced local life and storytelling for generations, uncovering the deep ties between people and place in North Kerry.
A Brief History of the Rain in Ireland
At 11.30am, Dr Erika Hanna, Associate Professor of History at the University of Bristol, will take the stage with A Brief History of the Rain in Ireland, 1800 to the Present Day. This talk will explore how rainfall has shaped Ireland’s social, cultural, and economic life over the past two centuries — offering new perspectives on something we all know so well.
River Feale Walk
At 12.30pm, join biologist Dr. Barry O’Donoghue, for a River Feale Walk, departing from the Museum. This relaxed guided stroll along the riverbank will explore the effects of climate change on the Feale’s ecosystem, highlighting both the natural beauty of the river and the challenges it faces in a changing world.
Poetry in the Park
In the afternoon, words will take centre stage at Poetry in the Park, our monthly open mic at 2.30pm, hosted by Mike Gallagher, founder of the series.
This special UISCE edition will focus on poems inspired by rainfall, weather, and our environment, featuring Emer Fallon, Kerry County Council Writer in Residence, as special guest.
As part of the lead-up to UISCE, Mike has shared his poem Row Back, written during a wild midsummer day on the Shannon Estuary. It’s a fitting reflection for the day — a reminder of both nature’s strength and our shared responsibility to protect it.
Row Back
by Mike Gallagher
Petulant sun quarrels with crabbed sky
It probes, prods, sneaks
Through gaps in broken cloud,
Catches the crests of waves that roll
In deep swells across the estuary.
Gales lash the craggy headland
Pummel long-stemmed grass into submission;
Rain shards pierce weathered faces
While wrens search out the whin’s snug core.
It is midsummer’s day and Nature rages:
Brother Man, row back, row back,
Our world is not, is not, yours to destroy.
Flow: Rising Tides, Changing Shores
The day will conclude with Flow: Rising Tides, Changing Shores, an exhibition by French artist Carl Cordonnier and collaborators Sandra Suire, Hugo Cordonnier, Madalina Obreja, and Astrid Adler. This cross-cultural installation explores how rising sea levels are transforming coastal landscapes in the Shannon Estuary and Somme Bay through photography, sound, and film.
The exhibition will remain open to the public until the end of October, offering visitors an opportunity to experience art and environmental reflection in one of Ireland’s most creative spaces.
Be Part of UISCE
UISCE promises to be a day of connection, creativity, and community, celebrating Ireland’s weather not just as something we live through — but something that shapes who we are.
Join us at Kerry Writers’ Museum on Saturday 19th October for a full day of talks, poetry, and outdoor exploration celebrating the stories that flow through our skies and rivers.
📍 Kerry Writers’ Museum, Listowel
🕙 Events from 10.30am – free entry, all welcome.