Shannon River Keepers - Water Protection Project

A vision for a Bioregional Source to Sea approach to care for the River Shannon - Saol na Sionainn - the Life of the Shannon.

'We exist to strengthen the relationships that allow rivers and communities to flourish together, and create long-term change for the Shannon’s health.'

Renewing our relationship with the River Shannon through practical action, education, cultural revival, sacred connection, and advancing the Rights of the River Shannon.

The Shannon River Keepers was established as a vision for a Source to Sea approach to care for the River Shannon - Saol na Sionainn, the Life of the Shannon, by initiating an interdisciplinary alliance bringing together ecological practitioners, artists, legal thinkers, educators, community organisers, scientists, cultural workers and local custodians to support the health and vitality of the River Shannon.

Rather than creating another organisation working in isolation, our ambition is to become a central hub that connects, amplifies and supports the people and groups already caring for the Shannon. By weaving together existing initiatives across the catchment, we hope to build a stronger, more visible and resilient movement for the river's future.

Our Aims

01 - Renew our common relationship with the River Shannon rooted in reciprocity and care.

02 -Mapping Saol na Sionainn  - the Life of the Shannon by weaving and supporting the diverse organisations, projects and communities already living and working throughout the Shannon catchment.

03 - Build a visible, connected and resilient network of river guardians across the Shannon basin, explore Source to Sea stewardship, planning, healthy water and healthy ecosystem strategies. Essentially de-siloing efforts along the Shannon, in favor of holistic and effective planning for the present moment - and our collective future.

04 - Amplify the Rights of Nature movement, and secure recognition - and implementation - of the Rights of the River Shannon, by developing a Shannon River Charter

Five Streams of Water Custodianship

Our work is guided by five interconnected streams of practice that nurture healthy ecosystems and thriving communities.

• ❋ Practical

• ❋ Educational

• ❋ Legal

• ❋ Cultural

• ❋ Sacred

The Shannon is Ireland’s longest river - a river that connects communities, farms, wetlands, wildlife and people across the heart of the island. But, like rivers around the world, the Shannon is under pressure. Water quality, biodiversity and the health of the wider catchment are all at risk, and protecting this extraordinary river requires action from all of us.

Now is the time to stand up for the Shannon, and make your voice heard.

These are new opportunities to have your say and help shape the future of the river......

in Abbey Road Artists Studios, Athlone.

The focus will be on water, land, and farming - an important opportunity to speak up, ask questions and make sure the health of the Shannon and its catchment stays firmly..on the agenda .....

in Mountshannon Community Hall, Lough Derg

The focus is on ‘Heritage At Risk’ - an exploration of how we can stand up for the Shannon through the Rights of Rivers lens.

Find out more about the events and how you can take action at www.shannonriverkeepers.org

We wish to explore with our communities what happens when we begin to see the River Shannon not simply as a resource, but as a living part of our cultural heritage?

Come for the river, the stories and the conversation, and help imagine what it could mean to care for the Shannon as living heritage.

Learn more: www.shannonriverkeepers.org

• 

We were grateful to this project for the opportunity to research, learn from and meet and network with a variety of stakeholders, community members, key personnel and agencies involved in the care and protection of the River Shannon over a number of months and for the opportunity to host a number of events and participate in the Heritage Council’s National Heritage Week which celebrates Ireland’s cultural, built and natural national heritage, including Water Heritage Day, with a spotlight this year on Heritage at Risk.

We are delighted to play a role in supporting CELT celebrate 25 years of providing awareness raising and training in traditional and ecological skills “to increase personal capacity and community resilience”. CELT are a member of the Irish Environmental Network (IEN), and receives funding from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE). Shannon River Keepers Cultural Project 2026: Source to Sea - Saol na Sionainn is funded by the Community Water Development Program 2026 of the River Basin Management Service(formerly LAWPRO), supported in turn by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.