Lough Neagh is the largest body of water in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It connects five counties and is often referred to as a county in itself. The Lough is central to life in Northern Ireland but also has 9% of its catchment area in the Republic of Ireland. It is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Europe, and it is dying in plain sight. A perfect storm of pollution, sand dredging, poor regulation, invasive species and hereditary ownership is leading to a near collapse of the Lough's ecosystem, most visibly realised through the blooms of toxic blue-green algae in summer time.

'Shallow Waters' aims to investigate the way myth and tradition sit alongside heavy industry and how closely connected they are, despite being at odds with each other. Through a photographic investigation of the landscape, its people and traditions, Laverty charts a thread of connection between the two opposing engagements with the shallow waters of Lough Neagh, as it negotiates multiple threats and regulatory negligence. 

Folklore suggests many differing accounts of how Lough Neagh ‘appeared’ and it plays a huge part in the life of the people who reside upon its shores. People still converge on ‘Washing-Bay’ on the Summer Solstice, where it has long been claimed the water has healing qualities whilst Sean-nós singing and traditional music is still hugely popular around Lough Neagh’s shores. Mythology and tradition sit side by side with the industry and agriculture that is threatening the ecosystem of the Lough.

Artist Bio

Joe Laverty is an Irish photographic artist and filmmaker having completed an MFA in Photography at Ulster University, Belfast in 2022.  His work explores place and our human interaction with it, specifically focusing on marginal or overlooked areas within both urban and rural contexts.  

Joe’s work explores place and our human interaction with it, specifically focusing on marginal or overlooked areas within both urban and rural contexts. While earlier work concentrated on urban spaces, his recent practice investigates the intersection of extraction industries and historical narratives within the rural Irish landscape. His images convey a sense of stillness, abandonment, and the subtle tension between nature and industrial intervention where human impact and nature coexist in quiet conflict. Joe’s work has been exhibited in Dublin, London, Belfast, Galway, Navan and Tallinn whilst being published in RIBA Journal, Architects Journal, Dezeen, Wallpaper, Irish Times, Source Magazine, Huck and The Guardian.  Shallow Waters has been nominated for the 11th cycle of the Prix Pictet - ‘Storm’.

Visualising Natural Heritage of Northern Ireland: 

Visualising Northern Ireland’s Natural Heritage is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, five diverse photographers are collaborating with conservation groups and local communities across Northern Ireland to visualise our natural heritage, with a focus on Lough Neagh, peatland, marine areas, the wider Belfast Hills and temperate rainforests.

These new co-curated narratives and photographic works will feature in exhibitions and events in Belfast, throughout Northern Ireland and beyond. Belfast Photo Festival and its partners aim to foster creativity, build meaningful connections and generate lasting public engagement with societal impact to help protect the environment.