Local community groups, Wexford County Council’s Climate Action office, and artists, are coming together to explore rising sea levels, sustainability, and the circular economy in ways that feel real, relevant, and rooted in local life.

So far, the team has hosted multiple events, to share details of the project and invite feedback, and spark conversations around climate change and importantly, climate action. These included an open day in Rosslare, and lively conversations at the Wexford Science Café, with locals and community groups including Tomhaggard Women’s Shed, Maudlinstown Active Retired, Hook Head Cycle, and the Connections and Rosslare Harbour Festivals.

But these gatherings aren’t just about sharing information, they’re about listening. Locals get to share their own experiences of climate change, and how it’s shaping their communities. One participant at Tomhaggard Women’s Shed summed it up perfectly saying;

"Everyone really enjoyed the events, and as you can see, people love an opportunity to voice their opinions."

In August 2025, as part of House on the Beach, artist and World Champion Freediver Nina McGowan unveiled her first solo exhibition, Container, at Wexford County Hall, which explores our relationship to climate change.

Using everyday household objects transformed into striking, large-scale sculptures, Nina challenges us to think about the scale of the climate crisis and the weight of materialism in our daily lives. Each piece has been charred to reveal a striking charcoal surface, beautiful, but also unsettling, reminding us of what could be lost if action isn’t taken. She explains;

"Container draws our attention to climate change through ideas around industrial production, excessive materialism and the unseen anxiety that the environmental collapse is causing. The exhibition speaks to multiple environments, from the planet we live on to the houses we live in, and the societal structures that have led to exponential growth – a huge factor in where we find ourselves today."

The exhibition also featured Talks on the Tide, a series of open-air roundtable discussions at beaches across Wexford. These conversations explored practical ways communities can engage with themes like the circular economy, water quality, and nature-based solutions, while encouraging everyone to take meaningful action.

The exhibition brought together artists, academics, and communities, with the aim of sparking dialogue and inspiring action.

And one thing is already clear: when communities, artists, and local organisations come together, climate change feels less like a distant issue, and more like something we can face, discuss, and act on, together.

House on the Beach is supported by Creative Ireland, along with Wexford County Council’s Climate Action and Culture teams.

To find out more, email houseonthebeachwexford@gmail.com or visit Events – Trinity Sustainability Trinity College Dublin

Watch our short video below: