Christine Mackey

Christine Mackey is an independent research-based visual artist with a background in social practice, a seed saver, and a keen ‘gardener’. Christine develops long-term projects that attend to the complexity of plant matter and local habitats, which embody notions of care and cultivation through a range of socio-environmental contexts and mediums. Mackey completed a Fulbright Creative Research Scholarship Award in 2018, pursuing independent research at institutions across the United States, including the Art & Ecology Department at the University of New Mexico, the Botanic Gardens Steere Herbarium in New York, Native Seed Savers in Arizona, the WormFarm Institute and GUMZ Peppermint Farm in Wisconsin.

She has also developed, designed and published several books and pamphlets that focus on historical and political vegetal matter and site-specific social narratives. On-going projects include MESOCOM designed as woven gardens to deal with stressed watercourses; ‘The Potting Shed’ ArtLink, Donegal, which opened up a new social space inside a defunct military environment; addressing pressing environmental issues about the geopolitical control of seeds was made evident in ‘Seed Matter’ devised as a series of exhibitions and a publications which continues to inform here work to-date. 

Her current practice addresses biodiversity loss, extinction, and material crisis while promoting renewal, awareness, and positive change. Working across disciplines and projects, she is currently exploring aspects of restoration across wetland sites in Europe in collaboration with artists, scientists, and ecologists. She is interested in how artists can facilitate meaningful engagement with a community through a material practice that explores remediation both as a tangible process and as a metaphor for healing people and places. These engagements can be grounded in broader environmental discussions concerning art and sustainability, land use, and climate change.

Valerie Irwin manages Rockfield Farm, a 105-acre property in Leitrim that has been in her family for generations. She took over in 2023 and is committed to sustainable, organic farming. The farm specialises in organic sheep production, having transitioned from conventional farming four years ago to promote environmental sustainability and biodiversity.

The land consists of dry, improved grassland on red clay soil, with some wet, marshy areas near the River Bonet. Small woodlands, historic stone walls, and ancient trees provide habitats for diverse wildlife, including bats, red squirrels, and birds. Organic practices eliminate synthetic chemicals, enhancing soil health, reducing erosion, and contributing to cleaner water sources. The farm also aids carbon sequestration, helping combat climate change.

Rockfield Farm holds significant cultural and historical value. It features ancient ring forts, remnants of old dwellings, and a former railway line, reflecting Ireland’s rich heritage. Rockfield House itself was originally a rectory and has been part of the Middleton family since 1867. The farm is also a known fishing spot, with the River Bonet deeply tied to local folklore.

Occasionally, the farm is used for controlled hunting, balancing conservation and wildlife management. Valerie balances her farming duties with a part-time role as a Special Needs Assistant. She is dedicated to preserving both the natural and historical heritage of Rockfield Farm while continuing its legacy of sustainable agriculture. She remains engaged in many projects related to farming and conservation.

The Farm Walks project (est. 2023) was co-created by Leitrim County Council Arts Office and The Dock, in partnership with The Leitrim Sustainable Agriculture Group and the Ulster Wildlife Farmers’ Group in Fermanagh, funded through the Creative Ireland Shared Island Programme. Through the project, the partners aim to build cross-border cooperation, to explore the common ground between artists and farmers, and to highlight shared farming and environmental interests.