Inis Artists are delighted to have been involved in a unique collaboration with Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Office and Creative Ireland Clare to produce a collection of artwork to highlight the conservation importance of a rare bat species in Clare, the Lesser Horseshoe Bat.
The resulting exhibition of their work will be on display in the new DeValera library in Ennis from Fri 16th – Mon 26th May to coincide with National Biodiversity Week 2025.
The group was first approached by County Clare’s Biodiversity Officer last year to see if they would be interested in working on an art project to help bring awareness of this endangered species of bat in County Clare.
Following this approach some of the group attended a bat talk and walk organised by Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Officer during National Heritage Week 2024 and eight of their members expressed an interest in the project. They came together to create a series of artworks based on the life of the bat, looking at roosting sites; feeding; echolocation and habitats. The artists taking part in the project are Denise Borge; Gerardine O’Leary Kelly; Margaret Ray; Rena Casey Lewis; Eileen Quin; Tomas O’Maoldomhnaigh; Alan Shoosmith and Dominic McNamara.
The project has been funded by Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Officer and Creative Ireland Clare. Inis Artists would also like to acknowledge the support of Dr Kate McAney of the Vincent Wildlife Trust who provided a wealth of research information about the Lesser Horseshoe Bat.
Founded over 20 years ago, the Clare based visual arts group currently comprises thirteen talented local artists who meet together regularly to organise exhibitions and events throughout the west of Ireland and to highlight their members’ work. Their varied work represents a fusion of traditional and modern art in a wide range of media and original styles.
Recently Inis Artists have exhibited in the Clare Museum, Ennis; St John’s Theatre & Art Centre, Listowel; Friar’s Gate Theatre, Kilmallock; The Coastguard Cultural Centre, Tramore; Bank of Ireland, Limerick; Cashel library; and Culturlann Sweeney Arts Centre, Kilkee. Shannon Town Centre shopping mall also features a permanent display of the members’ work which is updated seasonally, and they also continue to hold smaller displays in local cafés & restaurants in Bunratty, Barefield, Ennis and Tulla.
Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Officer Barry O’Loughlin said “The Lesser Horseshoe Bat is confined to just six counties in Ireland including Clare. The bat uses a range of habitats such as broadleaf woodlands, caves, old buildings, and outhouses; and commutes in the landscape using ecological corridors such as hedgerows and treelines where it feeds on flying insects. The art exhibition will appeal to all age groups to learn more about this rare species and its life cycle.”
You can find out more about Inis Artists members and their work on their website or by following the group on their Facebook and Instagram social media pages.