During 2024 and 2025, artists Tess Leak and Sharon Whooley collected stories from the islanders of West Cork relating to animals, birds, fishing and folklore.  Tales were gathered from Bere Island, Oileán Chléire, Dursey Island, Heir Island, Long Island, Sherkin Island and Whiddy Island, along with former residents of the now uninhabited Middle Calf Island and Horse Island. Memories from the East and West Skeam Islands are also included in this collection.  The stories are told in the islanders’ own voices and record a way of life shaped by necessity and the enduring relationship between people, animals, the land and the sea. 

Short Bio (Tess and Sharon)

Tess Leak is an artist who has worked with the Arts for Health Programme, West Cork and in community contexts since 2010.  Sharon Whooley is a filmmaker with Harvest Films, working as writer, producer and director. They have founded a number of Museum-form projects such as The Museum of Miniature, the People’s Museum of Skibbereen, the Museum of Making and Mending and the Museum of Song Postal Project.  The first iteration of the Museum of Birds and Beasts took place in community hospitals in West Cork in 2022 in collaboration with master basket-maker Joe Hogan, the Museum of Country Life and the National Folklore Collection.

Creative Places West Cork Islands is led by Cork County Council and includes a consortium of local arts and development agencies such as Bere Island Projects Group, Sherkin Island Development Society, Comharchumann Chléire and Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre.