The Ban Dea is the native Irish name for the River Bandon, meaning the Goddess. You can see why, as she springs from Cnoc na nAbhann (the Hill of Rivers) high in the Shehy Mountains near Dunmanway, travelling along her course through the Bandon Valley Basin before joining the sea at Kinsale. The towns and settlements that have thrived and waned along her route can tell the story of our island from prehistory to plantation; from industrialisation to environmental watersheds. 

Take Me To The River will link the towns ribboned along the River’s route. Creating a multicultural plan that connects communities along the river– Dunmanway – Enniskeane – Bandon - Innishannon – Kinsale. Through music, poetry and storytelling we will harvest a new Duchas collection. 

Take Me To The River will thread the ancient forgotten stories with urban lore through the pillars of Irish culture, and place-based learning. Creatively empowering communities, it is our aim to rekindle connection, and inspire caretakers for this irreplaceable water source. We will do this through music, storytelling, poetry and direct water based work. 

A pilot programme will include Wise Water workshops in two National Schools; Two story weaving workshops with in local Day Care Centres. A Man’s Shed walk to the source of the River Bandon to meet the guardian of Cnoc na nAbhann. Meeting with five farmers and anglers to mine the stories of the river. 

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