The future of Ireland’s ghost estates was among the topics for discussion at a workshop exploring environmentalism held today (9th May) at the University of Limerick (UL).  

Dr Geoffrey Berry, Visiting Scholar, Ralahine Centre for Utopian Studies and event organiser said; “This workshop explores the ecological crisis that threatens the globe today. Ireland’s current environmental crisis can be represented in the ghost estates which have been left to decay on our landscape. What is the future for these structures, how will they become part of our history as have the ancient ruins which form an important part of our heritage and culture – and how did they come about?”

Among the speakers were environmental writer John Gibbons, who discussed the decrease in the coverage of environmental stories over recent years and its link to climate change denial. Liam Leonard from the Institute of Technology Sligo talked about ‘austerity’ rhetoric and how it fits within the Irish environmental record.

The workshop responded to such questions as: What stories are we telling ourselves about the way we treat the environment? Is the media balanced on this subject? Do Irish writers and poets show much interest in it? How does the presence of hope or pessimism in the public and political arena affect the way we deal with environmental problems? How do we proceed from here?

The workshop was organised by the Ralahine Centre for Utopian Studies, University of Limerick.