Recorded in spaces and places on Rathlin Island including a ferry shelter, the Branson Centre and the West Light Seabird Centre.

The episode opens with a reading by children’s book author and illustrator Paddy Donnelly and creator of the book “The Golden Hare.” 

The first conversation features Tom McDonnell, a Rathlin-based wildlife photographer whose passion for capturing photos of creatures great and small has taken him all over the world, from Alaska to Finland and his passion for visiting wild landscapes.

We hear the bustling sound of a workshop in the Branson Centre led by Alison Gault and Anna Duffy on creating small wall hangings made from naturally dyed Rathlin wool and a special guest – Rathlin’s Marianne Green – sharing the story of Rathlin Wool and her collaborative work with Lynn Finnegan. We travel to Rathlin’s West Lighthouse and hear how Johnny Mitchell from Picture Perfect Rathlin manages to highlight the creatures we would normally ignore.

Created by: Karishma Kusurkar

With guests: Paddy Donnelly, Tom McDonnell, Alison Gault, Anna Duffy, Marianne Green and Johnny Mitchell

With special thanks to:

Dr. Pamela Whitaker, MSc Art Psychotherapy Lecturer at Belfast School of Art and Design Fellow, Future Island-Island.

Additional thanks for the retreat goes to:

To Nikki Isles, Tania McFaul and Rauri Morgan of RSPB who were key supporters and organisers of the craft retreat and helped connect us with the podcast guests. They have recently launched the Rathlin 360 website to celebrate the people and businesses of Rathlin.

Katherine McDonald, Director of Craft NI who provided training and mentoring to participants in the craft package.

Dr. Susann Power,  Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality from  the Ulster University Business School.

And finally, for this episode and throughout the Pocket Notes series and Design Fellowship work, a BIG thank you to my Co-Investigator from Future Island-Island,Gillian Colhoun for her brilliant wisdom, guidance, experience and ideas as well as her fantastic way with words.

Music by https://www.bensound.com

License code: J6OHOF6OOLQLWS66

Artist: : Yunior Arronte