The Waking Walls
a caoineadh of ecological and climate grief
The iconic national monument of Cloughoughter Castle, sitting on its tiny island in the heart of Cavan’s lake lands, premieres a collaborative event-based artwork ‘The Waking Walls’ by AlanJames Burns.
Echoing from the walls of the castle, the stirring cries of an Irish caoineadh reverberate over the rippling lake water. Together, gathered on boats and at the lakeside, we absorb this iconic monument’s lament for the environmental and biodiversity losses the castle has witnessed over its lifetime.
The Waking Walls is a collaborative, theatrical artwork that reawakens and equips us with age-old methods of coping with loss. ‘The Waking Walls’ is an invitation to reframe environmental grief—not as a state of disconnection and isolation, but as a unifying experience to collectively process climate disruption.
‘The Waking Walls’ was developed by Cavan-born environmental artist AlanJames Burns in collaboration with writer Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan, NYAH (Cross Border Collective of Traditional Arts Musicians), Cavan Arts Office, Irish Hospice Foundation and Cavan Adventure Centre.
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Feedback from participants
“It was very calming and thought provoking, it was a spectacular exhibition/ performance.”
“I have never experienced an artwork like this, Irish culture (the caoineadh) was mixed with a light installation in a historic setting to explore the planet and our human connection to it.”
“Felt like the castle had a voice of its own and it drew you into the emotions but also feelings of my own related to it.”
“Contemplative, felt as if time were suspended.”
“Unsettling emotions.”
“The start of the piece was very challenging, almost overwhelming, it was so intense. It got across the gravity of the situation very well. As the night fell and the lights came on, the call to action piece gave me hope and motivation.”
“Awe at nature and the many wonders and beauty around us, sadness for the damage we have caused and hope that we can salvage things.”
In ‘The Waking Walls,’ the central 13th century historical building of Cloughoughter Castle now stands in disrepair as physical evidence of the effects of entropy, decay, human destruction and environmental degradation.
On both event evenings at dusk, Friday 8 and Saturday 9 September 2023, audiences embarked upon a once-in-a-lifetime boat trip. Immersed within this breathtaking location, they witnessed the castle personifying collective trauma connected to the climate catastrophe and ecological degradation. Cloughoughter Castle channels this grief and cries out in a call to arms for us to fight to protect ourselves against our inaction, embrace necessary change and live in harmony with the land once again.
The audio installation was developed in collaboration with musicians Martin Donohoe, Rafal Szydlowski, Dwanye Kiernan, and vocalist and composer Karina Lynch Charles, arranged by musician and composer Andrew Stephen Lynch.
Public programme: Caoineadh Dúlra
In addition to ‘The Waking Walls’ events in September, an accompanying public engagement programme, ‘Caoineadh Dúlra’, took place on 14 and 15 October 2023. The workshops explored biodiversity loss, climate grief and how traditional Irish mourning customs could help us process biodiversity loss and navigate climate grief.
Accessibility
‘The Waking Walls’ built accessibility into its experiential design including accessible transport for each performance and ISL interpretation for performances on Saturday 9 September 2023. Free and reduced tickets were available, including for those living with a disability, low income, unemployed, OAPs.
‘The Waking Walls’ is funded and supported by The Arts Council/ An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Traditional Arts Project Award, Creative Ireland, Cavan Arts Office, Co-operation with Northern Ireland Scheme, Irish Hospice Foundation, Townhall Arts Centre Cavan, Cavan Adventure Centre, Office of Public Works, Dept. of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Project credits
‘The Waking Walls’ was developed by Cavan-born environmental artist AlanJames Burns in collaboration with writer Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan, NYAH (Cross Border Collective of Traditional Arts Musicians), Cavan Arts Office, Irish Hospice Foundation and Cavan Adventure Centre.
The audio installation was developed in collaboration with musicians Martin Donohoe, Rafal Szydlowski, Dwanye Kiernan, and vocalist and composer Karina Lynch Charles, arranged by musician and composer Andrew Stephen Lynch.
Karina Lynch Charles – Producer
Joe Keenan – Production Coordinator
Ailbhe O’Connor – Production Assistant
Paul Hughes – Production Assistant
Johnny Binchy – Production Assistant
Shane Carroll – Technical Preparation
Michael O’Brien – Sound Preparation
Catriona O’Reilly – Cavan Arts Officer
Rhonda Tidy – Cavan Arts Office
Annetta Lovett – Cavan Arts Office
Danielle McDermott – Cavan Arts Office
Civil Defence Cavan
Paul Mulligan – Cavan County Council
Sean Thorton and team – Cavan Adventure Centre
Padraig McIntyre – Townhall Arts Centre Cavan
Dominic Campbell – Irish Hospice Foundation
Gormfhlaith Ní Shíocháin Ní Bheoláin – Athshamhlú Gaeilge/ artistic translation in Irish/ as Gaeilge
Marian Caulfield – caoineadh expert
Heather Bothwell – Environmental expert
Fergal Connolly – Local guide
Jessica Lang – Architect
Erne Environmental
Birdwatch Ireland
Alan & Jamie Nolan – Nolan Sound & Lights
Andrew Wharton Coach Hire – Transport
Native Events
Hugh O’Reilly – Media Images
Photography/ Documentation
Trevor Whelan
Sheila Rooney
Anna Kaniuta Art Services
Cien O’Brien
Stephanie Dickinson – Public Relations
Fiona Byrne – Marketing and Administration
Aisling Fay – Catering
Bridge Interpreting – ISL
Brookside Security
Stewards:
Jennifer Griffith
Paul Murray
Paul King
Paul Galligan
Raquel Montero
Seamus Enright
Leanne Brady
