The Bohemian Way: A Creative Approach to Climate Action
Members of the Football for Climate Justice project team attending the launch of the Bohemian Environmental Justice Film Festival, which was part of the development of the Bohemian Way, initiated by Bohemian FC.
Launched on March 18th, 2023, The Bohemian Way is an inspiring project that leveraged the arts to stimulate active engagement in the fight against climate change. The Bohemian Football Club in Dublin spearheaded this unique initiative, which took the form of a creative and historical walking trail. This project was a testament to the remarkable collaboration between local artists, poets, historians, videographers, and musicians, all rallying together to address climate change through creativity and community engagement.
Backed by Creative Ireland’s €2 million Creative Climate Action fund, The Bohemian Way was one of 15 nationwide projects that employed artistic methods to invoke tangible change within communities and contribute to the fight against climate change. The initiative underscored the role of creativity in addressing urgent global issues and the potential of community-led projects to create significant impact.
The Bohemian Way was more than just a walking trail. It was a journey through history and future possibilities. The project, a collaboration with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), Dublin Bus, and the Push Pull Collective, worked with local communities to create a new historical walking route. This walkway also served as a pollinator highway, contributing to local biodiversity. The project was designed to weave together three interconnected narratives: the history of the football club, the history of the city, and the story of future climate transition.
Emphasizing community participation, The Bohemian Way project, alongside artists, worked with local communities to incorporate their tales, flora, and voices into the project. Various events took place throughout 2022, including gigs, recitals, community gatherings, walking tours, and town hall meetings. These events provided a platform for meaningful conversations about our shared future in the face of the climate crisis.
One of the most exciting developments of The Bohemian Way was the launch of a free smartphone app, which invited users on a guided tour through Dublin 7. The app was packed with features for users to discover, including music, poetry, histories, and practical ways to engage in collective climate action within their communities. The Bohemian Way also showcased a trove of new music from artists such as John Francis Flynn, Maija Sofia, Oisin Leech, and Louise Gaffney, as well as poems from John Cummins, Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, and Lewis Kenny.
The launch event was marked by music performances by local artists and poetry readings by renowned poets. Attendees were treated to a walking tour through Dublin 7, guided by historian Gerard Farrell and ballad singer Kilian O’Flanagan. The event concluded at Dalymount Park with more music and poetry.
“We were excited to launch the Bohemian Way project, which reflects our commitment to helping build an ever more socially and environmentally responsible community in Dublin 7 and beyond. Bohs is founded on a spirit of cooperation, creativity, and active citizenship. We were fortunate to use the Creative Climate Action Fund to shine a light on all those in our community applying the same spirit to the climate crisis.”
Seán McCabe, Head of Climate and Sustainability at Bohemian FC
The Bohemian Way project demonstrates how a fusion of creativity could encourage collaboration in the face of climate change. The project was warmly welcomed by Creative Ireland, the funders of the Bohemian Way through the Creative Climate Action Fund.
