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ROADMAP PIONEERING GREEN TOURISM Dublin Bay Cruis
es has become Ireland’s first domestic passenger ship operator to switch from fossil fuels to Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO), significantly cutting emissions by up to 90%. Instead of building a new vessel, the company remanufactured the engines of the existing St. Bridget, reducing waste and aligning with the Circular Economy Policy. Solar panels and other green technologies have also been added, further enhancing sustainability. Partnering with Fáilte Ireland and local conservation groups, the company is committed to protecting Dublin Bay’s UNESCO Biosphere. This bold move not only supports EU climate goals but also sets a powerful example for sustainable tourism, ensuring unforgettable marine experiences with a lighter environmental footprint. COMIC RELIEF Limit Break Comics has launched the Kickstarter for its fifth anthology, Bump in the Night, an eco-horror collection focusing on cryptids. The anthology is edited by Paul Carroll, and is intended to launch in November 2025 at Thought Bubble in Yorkshire. The anthology collects the work of over 40 creators from around the world, with cryptids to match the international draw of the talent inside. Alongside digital and physical copies of Bump in the Night and Limit Breaks other myth-inspired anthologies, backers can choose from stickers, postcards, prints, an enamel pin and an online comic writing course. The print artists for the Kickstarter are Gareth Luby & John McGuinness, Donna Black, and Lane Lloyd. Visit limitbreakcomics.com for funding info. DUBLIN CHATS Ten years after the release of their love poem to Dublin, “Dublin You Are,” Stephen James Smith has produced a new artwork, “Talk to Me,” in collaboration with the Dublin City Council Culture Company. The Tea & Chats programme, facilitated by the Dublin City Council Culture Company, fosters open and informal conversation within the Dublin community about the issues that matter. Using 500 reports from the last ten years of the Tea & Chats programme, the project blends film and poetry in a masterful entreaty of Dublin. Smith implores the city and its inhabitants to “come and talk to me,” and to reconnect with its history, and more importantly, its humanity. 2025 RDS CRAFT AWARDS NOW OPEN The prestigious 2025 RDS Craft Awards are now open for entries, celebrating excellence in Irish craft with a €60,000 prize fund – the largest of its kind in Europe. Open to makers across Ireland and Irish-born artists abroad, the Awards support creatives at all career stages. With two distinct categories – Emerging and Established – entries will be assessed by a panel of international craft experts. This year’s enhanced structure follows sector-wide consultation, ensuring relevance, inclusivity, and a strong focus on sustainability. Winners will be showcased at Gifted Fair (3-7 December) and announced at the RDS Foundation Arts Award Ceremony on 8th December. Applications close at 23:59 on 23 June 2025. rds.ie/craft 10