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WiseWater Academy: Connecting People, Wellbeing and Water

WiseWater Academy is a cork-based education and community initiative that explores the connections between water, wellbeing and the natural environment. Working with schools, community groups and environmental organisations, it delivers programmes and events that encourage people to engage with and learn more about water and its role in everyday life.

WiseWater Academy

WiseWater Academy, co-founded by Elaine Moynihan and Katie McShane in Garrettstown, Co. Cork, is on a mission to help people see water differently and support people to build connections with themselves, each other and the natural environment.

Through its flagship six-week water and wellbeing programme for 5th and 6th class students, WiseWater combines multisensory activities, practical wellbeing tools and water conservation education. At the heart of the programme and all the work WiseWater do is building up a new relationship with water. Elaine and Katie have seen first-hand when someone has a relationship with the environment they are more likely to care for it. Funded by the Department of Education, the programme has reached more than 30 schools across Munster, receiving a lot of positive feedback from teachers and students.

Interested in WiseWater Programmes?

To learn more about the work of WiseWater Academy, including its school programmes, community workshops and water heritage projects, visit the WiseWater website. Schools and community groups interested in participating in future programmes can find further information and contact details online.

Visit WiseWater.ie

WiseWater Academy Wins Water Heritage Award 2026

WiseWater Academy has won the Water Heritage Award at the National Heritage Week Awards 2026, held at the RDS in Dublin on Thursday, 29 October.

Representatives of WiseWater Academy receiving the Water Heritage Award at the National Heritage Week Awards 2026 ceremony in Dublin. — Screenshot

The award recognises its project, The Wellbeing of Our Water Heritage, which celebrates the natural and cultural water heritage of Ballinspittle and the Old Head of Kinsale coastline.

As part of the project, WiseWater Academy produced a beautifully illustrated booklet highlighting local wells, rivers, beaches and wetlands, including important Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pNHAs). It explores the connections between water, biodiversity and personal wellbeing, while encouraging people to enjoy, connect and protect their local blue spaces.

The booklet was officially launched in partnership with local environmental group Ballinspittle Beo during a free family event at Garrylucas Wetlands on Water Heritage Day. Reflecting Heritage Week’s 2026 theme, Heritage at Risk, the event highlighted the importance of protecting Ireland’s vulnerable wetland habitats.

Activities included an informative talk by Calvin Jones of Ireland’s Wildlife on wetland birds and wildlife, alongside a creative interactive bird performance coordinated by Wild Inspired. Featuring a giant heron, handcrafted bird costumes and live music from local musicians, the performance celebrated the wildlife that depends on these habitats.

The project received a very positive response, with attendees of all ages enjoying and learning more about their local water heritage and discover the importance of protecting these vital places.

WiseWater Academy hopes the booklet will continue to inspire people to explore, value and protect water heritage for future generations.

To request a copy of The Wellbeing of Our Water Heritage booklet, contact WiseWater Academy at wisewatereducation@gmail.com.

Representatives of WiseWater Academy with the Water Heritage Award trophy and certificate at the National Heritage Week Awards 2026.

About author

EPA Catchments Unit

Administrator

The EPA Catchments Unit is based in Dublin, and the team is involved with catchment science, chemistry, ecology, hydromorphology, modelling, Geographic Information Systems and planning. We work with the wider EPA, all of our local authorities, the Local Authority Waters and Communities Office, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and other public bodies and Departments to ensure we have the best available data and information about our catchments.

Who is involved?
Quite simply, everyone in Ireland has a role to play. This can be from something as simple as making sure you don’t pollute your local stream, or a local community working together to establish a Rivers Trust to enhance the rivers and lakes in their area, to a Government Department or Agency helping a Minister implement a new policy to help protect and enhance all our water bodies.

This website has been developed and is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency, and is a collaboration between the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the River Basin Management Service.

River Basin Management Service

The River Basin Management Service coordinates the efforts of local authorities and other public bodies in the implementation of the River Basin Management Plan, and supports local community and stakeholder involvement in managing our natural waters, for everyone’s benefit.

Environmental Protection Agency

The EPA is responsible for coordinating the monitoring, assessment and reporting on the status of our 4,842 water bodies, looking at trends and changes, determining which waterbodies are at risk and what could be causing this, and drafting environmental objectives for each.

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Department is responsible for making sure that the right policies, regulations and resources are in place to implement the Water Framework Directive, and developing a River Basin Management Plan and Programme of Measures to protect and restore our waters.