Futures Lab is an intergenerational initiative with young people and older adults learning from each other. Inspired by the transitioning of land usage in Offaly from fossil fuels or greenhouse-gas-intensive industrial processes, and the risk of erasing the stories, methodologies, and knowledge that exists in rural peatland areas. 

Futures Lab is an exploratory workshop programme in Birr, Kilcormac and Rath with artists Martina Coyle and Caroline Conway. Participants through creative imagining explore and identify how traditional or past objects/ideas/materials/methodologies can be repurposed - be part of the solutions of the future. 

Forager Mary Bulfin contributes to the programme - connecting participants to their places and heritage through exploration, observation and use of wild plants.  

Brian Tobin, Assistant Professor in Forestry at UCD facilitates two walks at Birr Castle Demesne on ‘Champion trees and pollinating armies - tree adaptation strategies’, Wed 3 Aug , 11am & 2pm.

ReCreate Ireland facilitate intergenerational workshops on sustainability and creative reuse at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre: 

FUTURE FIBRES (Aesthetic Thinking): Wed 3 Aug, 11am-12:30pm.

An exhibition exploring ‘futures’ takes place in Birr, Kilcormac and Rath on Culture Night.

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