Boating Floating Making Knowing

We are PS2, an arts organisation based in the centre of Belfast.

We’re proud to be a part of Belfast 2024 - a year-long, city-wide celebration of culture, creativity, and nature.

Our project - WATER WORKS - shifts our attention towards the River Lagan, the harbour and other water systems in Belfast. WATER WORKS spearheads a transformative journey, rediscovering our pre-industrial, vernacular boatbuilding histories, urban and maritime developments and future planning, and use of some of our greatest assets: the waterways in and around our city.

Together, we can envisage a future where our river is rejuvenated, celebrated and used by all its residents, and where community engagement and creative expression take centre stage.

There are lots of different parts to our project! Click on the images below to find out more….

Big boats

Built by: Paddy Bloomer

Type: Experimental vessel

Name: The Lagan Lighter

Built by: Niamh Scullion and an amazing crew of volunteers

Type: Traditional boat build (skiff))

Name: Éalú

Medium boats

Built by: Groundwork NI and members of Mens’ Sheds from Colin and North Belfast

Type: Coracle workshop led by John Wilkinson

Built by: Women’sTec and their incredible #NotJustForBoys summer school!

Type: Workshop led by Women’sTec tutors

Small boats

Built by: the people of Belfast!

Type: Made from recycled, recyclable and biodegradable materials, your boats have been produced in over 100 workshops held in community groups, schools, residential homes, markets, artists’ studios, shopping centres, sheds, and at kitchen tables throughout the city.

Commissions

Clockwise

By: Laura Nelson & Leo Boyd

Type: Site-specific installations

Name: Oh We Do Like to be Beside the Lagan

By: Duncan Ross

Type: Processional banners

Name: Cycle / Fracture /Opportunity

By: Anushiya Sundaralingam

Type: Durational Drawing Performance

Name: Constructed Journeys

By: Emma Brennan, Méabh Meir, Stephen Millar, HIVE Choir (John D’arcy, Janie Doherty, Rosie Mullin, Kathrin Popp, Emily DeDakis Aisling McCormick, Katya Solomatina), Damian Mills

Type: Sound, composition, choreography and movement

Name: River Celebration