People can't stop raven about it!

A new exhibition about birds has flown and landed into Cork city.

‘Hear Their Call’ was housed at the MTU Gallery on Grand Parade before it migrated to the Cork City Library.

Presented by Cork City Council, it celebrates the creativity of Cork city students and the beauty of our urban birdlife. The display features delicate watercolour illustrations and vibrant paper collages of the swallow, swift, and robin, created by national school students during biodiversity and arts workshops facilitated by artist Ann Lambe.

All collages have been incorporated into a single hanging mobile, with each bird suspended delicately to create a dynamic display that enhances the exhibition’s visual impact and brings a sense of movement and life to the space.

The project brought together four Cork city national schools, each working towards achieving their Green Schools Biodiversity Flag, demonstrating their commitment to environmental education and action. Through art, students explored the vital role of nature in our communities and deepened their understanding of local bird species.

Louise Tagney, Cork City Council Creative Communities engagement officer said: "By engaging young people through art and biodiversity education, the 'Hear Their Call' project empowers young people to explore nature creatively while deepening their understanding of local birdlife. It’s a wonderful example of how cultural initiatives can support Cork City’s strategic priority to be climate active, foster community engagement, and inspire lasting environmental awareness."

Artist Ann Lambe said: "My art practice is rooted in a deep appreciation for nature and wildlife, aiming to inspire others to value habitats and biodiversity. Being part of the ‘Hear Their Call’ project has enriched my creative journey, allowing me to expand my practice while helping children connect with nature. Through this initiative, I’ve been able to foster awareness of local bird species and encourage young people to explore their creativity in meaningful ways."

To extend learning beyond the exhibition, schools that created watercolour illustrations will receive a personalised booklet featuring their students’ artwork alongside bird identification tips. Each child in those schools will also receive their own copy, helping them recognise Cork’s birds and celebrate their contribution.

A professionally designed bird identification poster featuring the swallow, swift, and robin will be displayed in the Children’s Library. Each participating school will also receive a copy to support continued learning and encourage a lasting appreciation of Cork’s birdlife. The exhibition runs until 23 November.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.