Celebrating Resistance, Creating Community Power is a collaborative arts and sustainability project led by sculptor and socially engaged practitioner Robert Ireson with North Leitrim Sustainable Energy Community. Born from a conversation between Robert and activist Eddie Mitchell through their shared work with Treasure Leitrim, this aims to strengthen community resilience through creative engagement.

Starting in April 2025, a series of playful workshops will explore group motivations, share stories, and build cohesion. Rooted in the spirit of past victories like the anti-fracking movement, it will create artworks that celebrate collective action and inspire future change.

A key focus will be on degrowth and sustainable alternatives. Proposed ideas include a floating hydroelectric generator powering a riverfront sign, a biodigester-powered sculpture highlighting fracked gas concerns, bicycle-powered sound systems for community events, and solar-powered digital noticeboards, which draws parallels between the power and potential of community when it comes together in resistance with the power and potential of the natural world.

Workshops and fabrication will take place at the ^ Studio's and on location at nearby natural spaces experimenting with harnessing energies from local natural sources. After 4 weeks of embodied creative sessions, the group will move into design, model-making and construction through September-October, 2025, culminating in a public showcase in November, 2025.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.