Time / Date: Tuesday, August 19 · 1 – 2:30pm
The Irish Ocean Literacy Network (IOLN) is hosting a special Heritage Week webinar exploring Ireland’s deep cultural, historical and ecological relationship with the ocean. This 90-minute online seminar will showcase how understanding and valuing Ireland’s maritime heritage is a powerful way to build ocean literacy — the understanding of our influence on the ocean and the ocean’s influence on us. Through a mix of presentations, storytelling, music, and citizen science, attendees will discover ways to celebrate the past while acting for our ocean’s future.
This interactive session is designed for heritage specialists, marine educators, and anyone with an interest in Ireland’s ocean heritage. Participants will gain fresh perspectives on the importance of the ocean in Ireland’s past, present, and future, while discovering practical ways to foster ocean literacy in their own communities.
The webinar links to the IOLN’s ongoing My Ocean campaign, which encourages people across Ireland to share stories, traditions, and personal experiences that reflect what the ocean means to them — strengthening our national conversation on ocean stewardship.
By participating, you’ll not only gain a deeper appreciation for Ireland’s maritime past, you’ll also be invited to contribute your own My Ocean story, helping to create a richer, more personal tapestry of Ireland’s relationship with the sea.
- 13:00 – 13:05: Introduction and welcome from the IOLN
- 13:05 – 13:20: Ocean literacy and how it ties to celebrating our heritage – Dr Nóirín Burke (Galway Atlantaquaria)
- 13:20 – 13:35: TBC
- 13:35 – 13:50: Heritage In Schools Marine Specialist and IOLN member David McCann (The Sea Collective) – Seanchaí na Mara Workshops in Co Donegal.
- 13:50 – 14:05: Songs Of the Sea – Noel Campbell (National Museum of Ireland) https://www.ouririshheritage.org/content/archive/topics/traditional-boats-of-irelands-wild-atlantic-way-topics/songs-of-the-sea-what-are-they
- 14:05 – 14:20: Marine Biodiversity and citizen science recording – Dave Wall (National Biodiversity Data Centre)
- 14.20 – 14:30: My Ocean Campaign (IOLN) (5mins), followed by Q&A and closing remarks.
Register to attend at https://www.heritageweek.ie/event-listings/my-ocean-celebrating-our-inextricable-cultural-ties-to-the-ocean