Barnavave - tread softly

The Cooley Mountains
May 2023

A one-day site-specific exhibition set within the boundary walls of the deserted village of Barnavave, Carlingford, Co. Louth, curated by Shannon Carroll in collaboration with artist Suzanne Carroll.

Featuring artists Órlaith Cullinane, Suzanne Carroll, Deborah Corcoran, Úna Curley, Mel Galley, Gráinne Murphy, Erin Redmond, Rosie O'Reilly and Áine Ryan, they created new work in response to the site's history, mythology, and ecology. The project foregrounded sustainability and principles of 'leave no trace'. Artists participated in facilitated site visits and developed their work through ongoing dialogue with the curators.

The final exhibition featured sculptural interventions, interactive sound pieces, a foraged tasting event, sewing workshops, and a written epitaph, all integrated gently into the landscape. Another piece focused on reintroducing the Irish language to the site, speaking back into the village through poetic text and sound. The public was invited to engage with the works through a mapped walking trail, supported by a local historian's talk and participatory events. Funded through arts grants and local sponsorship, the exhibition drew over 100 attendees and demonstrated a collaborative, low-impact model for rural, site-responsive art.