Writing the Chorus of Change

This year’s winter supporter event ‘Writing the Chorus of Change’ is inspired by a Seamus Heaney poem ‘Chorus’, which evocatively speaks to themes of human conflict and suffering, but, ultimately, the choice to always hope.   

History says, Don’t hope 
On this side of the grave, 
But then, once in a lifetime 
The longed-for tidal wave 
Of justice can rise up 
And hope and history rhyme.

We're delighted to have Dr. Rupa Myra and Tom Popple as our guest speakers, joining Friends of the Earth CEO, Deirdre Duffy, in conversation. This will be followed by a special musical performance from the talented Bríd Lyons and some light bites and refreshments prepared by the Fumbally team.

Dr. Rupa Marya, Adjunct Professor of Land, Food and Medicine at Trinity College Dublin, is a is a doctor, activist, musician and writer. A scholar of the health impacts of colonialism on human and planetary health, she founded the Deep Medicine Circle to advance the concept of Whole System Health, where healed relationships between people and with the web of life confer health. Her work sits at the nexus of climate, health and racial justice. Together with co-author with Raj Patel, she wrote the book Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Injustice.

Tom Popple is a geographer, connector and independent impact advisor with 15+ years putting people at the centre of climate and nature action. He founded the Climate Cocktail Club — a movement bringing scientists, activists, artists, founders and policymakers into one room on equal footing — and BE IMPACTFUL, an independent advisory translating ambition into delivered impact. He has financed 50+ nature projects across six continents and lives in rural Laois, converting an abandoned acre into a thriving habitat.

Bríd Lyons is a Kilkenny born singer, songwriter and folk musician. Her ethereal, acoustic sound and poetic lyrics conjure images of nature and the human experience. Bríd's debut EP, Tied To The Turf, features soaring a capella vocals and rhythmically complex arrangements.

The Fumbally Stables