On the emerald isle of Ireland, an easily-overlooked creature holds the history of a nation within its shell. From the rise and collapse of heavy industry, to a bloody civil war, the riverbeds of Ireland have been witness — and they tell a story of change and possibility stretching far beyond any human lifetime.

With the help of guest producer Caitlin Kennedy, we're tracing the modern arc of Northern Ireland through the story of the freshwater pearl mussel.

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🦪 Find photos, citations, and a transcript of this episode at futureecologies.net

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Featuring the voices of Frank Mitchell, Mary Catherine Gallagher, Stiofán Cullen, and Sebastian Graham.

Music by Olly Keen, Thumbug, Martin Austwick, Sorcha Kennedy, plus our theme by Sunfish Moon Light

From Caitlin:

As well as the episode’s incredible contributors & musicians, a huge thank you to everyone at the Ballinderry Rivers Trust, especially Mark Horton for introducing me to freshwater pearl mussels in the first place. Thank you to Dr Evelyn Moorkens and Dr Ian Killeen for 30 years of tireless research: without them, Irish pearl mussels would be in much worse shape. I'm incredibly grateful to Wetland Surveys Ireland, Dennis Funk, Sarah Jones & John D’Arcy for helping bring this project to life and to Carrie, Sorcha & Garfield for lending an ear with endless enthusiasm & wise words of feedback. Liz and Frank Jones - your generosity in home, sustenance and support knows no bounds. Finally, thank you Karina for the hydrophones & shared sonic explorations. To all who have nerded out about mollusks with me, you’re great and hopefully we'll come back as one in the next life.

See also: Caitlin's article about nacre for Scientific American, and her soundcloud

PS. Please do not go stomping around in sensitive Northern Irish river habitat looking for mussels without a survey license!