GDD2025: 'Listen to the Land Speak' screening

 We were delighted to host 'Step into the doughnut' activity and screening of 'Listen to the Land speak' documentary as part of TU Dublin's Climate Action Week and the third Global Donut Days.

 The evening began with “Step into the Doughnut”, an interactive embodied activity designed to explore what it means to live and thrive in a safe and just space for humanity within the limits of our planet. This pre-event activity, attended by over 50 participants, sparked lively conversations and connections that  set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Following this, we screened the visually stunning director’s cut of Listen to the Land Speak  to an audience of more than 120 attendees, including university staff, students, and community members. The documentary follows writer Manchán Magan’s journey through Ireland’s landscapes, uncovering profound connections between language, heritage, and nature. Winner of Best Cinematography at the 2025 Galway Film Fleadh, the film offered a poetic and thought-provoking perspective on how the stories of the land can guide us in rebuilding our relationship with nature.

After the screening, Dr. Ciaran O’Carroll hosted a conversation with director Maurice O’Brien. The discussion was deeply moving, particularly as Manchán Magan had recently passed away. Maurice shared insights into the creative process and the personal dimensions of the film, and the audience engaged in a rich and reflective Q&A.

 The evening was an invaluable opportunity to explore what it means to thrive within the Doughnut while fostering reflection, learning, and deeper connections with ourselves, with each other, and with our wider university and community.  

 
The event was organised by Dr. Lucia Walsh and Dr. Olivia Freeman (TU Dublin) in collaboration with Michelle Licciardi (Dublin South City Partnership), with support from TU Dublin Sustainability Education (Dr. Brian Gormley and Dr. Ken Boyle). It was co-funded by the National Forum for Teaching and Learning through the Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement (SATLE) initiative.