CALL’s Blue Dot to the Sea Campaign.
CALL’s “Blue Dot to the Sea Campaign” began with Catchment Support Funding from LAWPRO in 2024 (Phase 1) and it is now in Phase 2 (Catchment Support Fund, 2025). We are looking forward to a Phase 3 in 2026-7….
The purpose of the “Blue Dot to the Sea” Campaign is to help the rivers in CALL’s sub -catchment to be as ecologically pure as they can be. The two main rivers are the Bunowen and Carrowniskey with their tributaries eg the Ballyhip, and other water ways such as Roonagh Lagoon. Both Bunowen and Carrowniskey rivers have “Blue Dot” status in their head waters. What’ s Blue Dot? [https://callclimateaction.ie/2024/09/05/calls-blue-dot-to-the-sea-campaign] As the rivers travel their short distance through more populated and agricultural land they lose that status. We are lucky in this area that the water remains of a high status, but wouldn’t it be great to maintain that “Blue Dot” all the way to the sea?
CALL’s work includes engagement with those living by and with the rivers, trying to understand more about the significance of the rivers and waterways in people’s daily lives. This includes working on ways to help mitigate against flooding; ways to understand changes in the nature and quality of the water, perhaps because of climate change.
Through the funding provided by the Catchment Support Fund, CALL is able to carry out various activities with a range of community members, including young people. For example, in June CALL sponsored a water sampling day with Killeen National School at Glenkeen Farm; angling club taster sessions are in planning for the Autumn. Louisburgh and Killeen NSs and TY students from Sancta Maria are involved with the Blue Dot Mosaic project.
As part of the Blue Dot Campaign, CALL received funding from LAWPRO’s Community Water Development Fund (2024) to conduct a hydromorphological study of the sub- catchment during 2025. The study was launched in June 2025, and field work is currently being carried out by specialist consultants CBEC. There will be a report which will be shared and discussed publicly towards the end of 2025.
If you want to get involved or find out more you are welcome to email Elisabeth Salter, CALL Action Leader callactionofficer@gmail.com
“Blue Dot to the Sea” Mosaic Project
This three-part art project by Annaliese Brown will help raise awareness of water quality and the actions needed to maintain the health of our waterways. The focus of this project is the Bunowen and Carrowniskey river catchments, including Roonagh Lagoon. The work is funded by Creative Ireland with assistance from LAWPRO.
This artwork supports the “Blue Dot to the Sea” campaign being run locally by CALL, with funding from LAWPRO through its Catchment Support Fund and Community Water Development Fund. At the heart of this campaign is engagement with the people who live and work with the rivers and waterways in this catchment.
After discussion with residents and stakeholders outlining the aims of the project we decided upon an artwork that will be installed in various places in the locality. The artwork is made from mosaic covered slate circles in shades of blue, with accompanying QR codes linking to information about the “Blue Dot to the Sea” campaign. This will be an eye-catching way to spread the word about the work being carried out by CALL
National School pupils are taking part in mosaic making sessions, making more blue dots, this time in recycled jar lids which will be collated together in one enormous panel and displayed in Books at One, Louisburgh. During the making of these mosaics we will be thinking about what actions we can all take to help preserve our beautiful local waterways.
TY students from Sancta Maria are also getting involved.
If you would like to host a blue dot mosaic on your gate post, please email callactionofficer@gmail.com
The final element of the artwork will be a Mosaic and information board about the Blue Dots campaign in Louisburgh, near the Bunowen River Bridge.
Annaliese’s work (www.brownbearart.ie) has focussed on support for climate action in connection with rivers and lakes, and she will continue to seek ways to collaborate with communities in making artworks that draw attention to this important subject.
