06/10/2026
Our Emma Campbell and Clodagh Lavelle had the absolute honour of attending Notions this weekend. No better people for the task, wha? (Notions... they have BIG notions) ;)
Led by Sally O'Dowd, with guest artist Kate O' Shea, it was SUCH a fantastic gathering and learning experience.
The day kicked off with a walking tour around Swanlinbar with local community historian Gregory McGovern and Sally O’Dowd, learning about the town and its lands while gathering sticks along the way to make our very own drawing charcoal.
Back at Trivia House there was charcoal making, experimenting with materials and tools, lots of playful drawing and making together and, very importantly, sandwiches.
The evening slowed things down with the brilliant Kate O' Shea sharing stories, scraps, photographs, notes and other fragments from our own archives, and getting to know each other through conversation and making.
Unfortunately we didn’t get any photos from this part, so engrossed were we, but trust us when we say it was magic. x
A massive thank you to Sally O’Dowd, Kate O’Shea, Gregory McGovern, the Border Biennale team and everyone at Trivia House, and to Joe, Jane, Raquel, Amy, Patricia, Marta, Helen, Simon, Paul and Jonathan for helping make it all so wondrous.
More stuff like this, please. Walking, talking, making, eating, learning and bringing people together. It’s truly good for all things. x
Cavan County Council UK Government