Introducing Fen – A Stirring Puppet Show for Schools: Celebrating Nature, Climate, and Connection

As unstoppable machines encroach upon a wild and precious landscape, we meet Fen, a curlew who awakens to protect the last curlew egg, guided by a playful fox. The Curlew is one of the most iconic birds of the Irish countryside. Many still recall a time when the summer sky was full of its evocative bubbling call. Sadly, Curlew, along with other breeding wader species have suffered drastic declines in recent years and have almost disappeared from the Irish countryside.

This curious, gentle, and moving story courageously explores themes of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and the need to protect wild landscapes and the creatures within them. Through a spellbinding combination of puppetry, shadow play, choreographed movement, and original music, the show cultivates in young audiences a deeper connectedness with nature and a capacity to perceive beauty, magic, and meaning in the natural world.

Developed in collaboration with pupils from Feevagh N.S. and Ballintleva N.S. in rural Co. Roscommon, Fen uniquely integrates community voices into its storytelling.

Non-verbal.

Suitable for Primary schools: Junior Infants to 3rd class.

Schools Shows take place in VISUAL Carlow on Wednesday 24th September 2025 at 10am and 12pm.

Trigger Warnings:
-The use of strobe or flashing lights
-Loud or sudden noises
-Complete darkness, including blackouts

Themes:
-Nature
-Climate change
-Biodiversity|
-Pollution

Designed and directed by Orla Clogher
With Roberta Ceginskaite and Miriam Needham

Tickets can be purchased in person or over the phone at Box Office. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Further Terms and Conditions can be found at visualcarlow.ie/visit/booking-information.