Beasts of the Modern Age

Launch: 6th Sept, 2–4pm
Open daily: 10am–5pm at Áras na nGael, 45 Dominick St Lower H91 E1NY

Red Bird Youth Collective presents Beasts of the Modern Age – an exhibition inspired by mythical Irish creatures, where legend, creativity and nature intertwine. Through poetry, imagery and storytelling, ancient beings are re-imagined as guardians of land, sea and sky, reminding us of both the wonder and the fragility of the worlds we share.

Created in collaboration with artists Taim Haimet and Jojo Hynes, and coordinated by Soňa Šmédková, the works celebrate the vision and voices of our participants, whose words and ideas give breath to these mythical realms:

🌿 A sanctuary of leaves, flowers and harmony
🌊 A majestic horse beyond the sea’s waves
🔥 A warning of disappearing forests, and choices left to make

And through their verses, echoes of the past and present emerge:

• Ancient silver threads / Among these currents we roam
• Brutally destroyed / My land reduced to a shell / Hollowed out and wrecked
• His world is dying / Crumbling, colourless world / Echoes of the past
• Forest disappear / World’s gone, never reappear / Your choice left to make
• The Horse and the Sea / Beyond the big waves / A majestic horse can be found / Saving sea creatures
• The world is changing / The magic returns to us / We all must listen
• Bubbles float around / This mystical world of life / Its sanctuary
• Bright bursting colour / Existing in harmony / With flowers and mist
• The glorious leaves / The foliage is perfect / For dreaming of peace

Together, these creations invite us to dream, to mourn, to imagine and to reflect on the responsibility we hold in shaping the future.

Oisín Flanagan
Isabelle Barrett
Harper Faith
Presley Grace
Zemi Perry
Zia Waring
Alice Church
Mykayla Myers
Lily Mannion