Born Of The Land
In Keekill, Killeany, Cloughanover, Co. Galway lies a hidden treasure. Clay burried in the land.
In 1911 fourteen Keekill families lived off the land, harvested the clay, shaping it into bricks, firing it in pits and shipping it on the lake to Galway and Cong. '
Born Of The Land' is a clay project to honour the history of the landscape and changes brought by a migrant community. Yet there are still some who can tell of Meitheals formed, poitin distilled and piracy on the lake.
Keekill Boat Launch
Celebrating Galway Capital of Culture 2020 the residents of Keekill village were invited to participate in a series of clay workshops as part of the Clay Journeys project. In 'neighbourhood meitheals the villagers of Keekill came together to dig for local clay, form clay vessels and fire them in a pit. Reflecting on our own individual heritage we tell fabled tales of Icelandic Viking Dragon Boats with Mythical Faery Creatures, Bronze Age Log Boats, Piracy On The Lake and stories of Fishing and Farming. By launching our boats we share our sense of belonging, our rootedness to our local landscape and our dreams for the future.
Keekill Boat Launch - The Making
'Keekill Boat Launch’ – The Making:
With these images we tell the story of harvesting local clay on the shores of Lough Corrib. In neighbourhood meitheals the villagers of Keekill came together to dig for local clay. The clay was harvested from so called daub-holes used by local brick makers in the past. Adding water the daub was turned into a sludge and strained through a sieve to extract the clay. In a series of workshops local villagers formed clay boats to form part of the clay journeys project for Galway 2020 Capital of Culture.
Keekill Boat Launch - The Pit Firing
'Keekill Boat Launch’ – The Pit Firing:
Our Keekill neighbourhood project concludes with a pit firing. Following in the footsteps of the Keekill brickmakers, we fire our clay pieces in a pit. First we dig a pit. Then we nestle our clay boats in sawdust. Carefully we stack kindling and fire wood and pit fire our vessels over night. Next day we dig through soil and ashes to find our hidden treasures. Through water and fire, moulded by our hands we hold the memories of our clay journeys.