An innovative project connecting two communities a stone’s throw away from each other on either side of Lough Corrib, is in the running for a prestigious award.

Lough Corrib 471 sought to bridge the communities to the west and east of the lake through an innovative blend of architecture, art, and cultural heritage.

The name is inspired by the fact that just 471 metres of water separate Kilbeg and Knockferry piers — but the communities on either side are divided by a 50-minute journey by car.

By engaging young people, educators, artists, and community groups, Lough Corrib 471, led by Helena McElmeel Architects, became a catalyst for social cohesion, environmental stewardship, and creative exploration.

The challenge was clear: how to unite communities on either side of a 471-metre expanse of water without the aid of a traditional bridge.

Instead of pursuing conventional infrastructure, the project approached the challenge with architectural creativity, crafting temporary installations inspired by lighthouses — structures deeply tied to both maritime heritage and human connection.  These installations, positioned on Kilbeg and Knockferry Piers last October, acted as architectural beacons, visually linking the two shores.

Young people also took part in a series of creative workshops and fieldtrips as aprt of the project, exploring the rich built and cultural heritage of the lake including visits to Kilbeg and Knockferry piers, Aughnanure Castle, Collinamuck bog and Ross Errilly Friary.

The project won a Thornton 2024 Inspire Future Generation Award Children One Off Activity category in London and is a finalist in The Building and Architect of the Year Awards 2025 Social Impact Award.

Currently the project is shortlisted in Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Awards and is included in the RIAI Public Choice Award, from which the public selects their favourite project of the year by voting online. Online voting will close at 5pm on Monday next, June 16, at www.riai.ie.

Collaborating artists in the project were Joanna McGlynn, supported by Jennifer Cunningham and Leah Beggs, and photographers Anita Murphy and Aengus McMahon.

Teachers and students of Claran (17 students, 2 teachers), Clydagh (8 students, 2 teachers), Collinamuck (6 students, 2 teachers) and St. Annin’s (15 students, 3 teachers) National Schools were also involved.

Other partners in the project were The Corrib Beo Catchment Partnership; Architecture at the Edge (AATE) and Headford & District Association (‘Something in the Water Festival’); Lough Corrib Navigation Trustees; Drumadore Drum School; Moycullen Heritage and Oughterard Heritage Groups; St. Fursa’s Historical Society; and Headford Lace Project.

Funded by the Arts Council, it was supported by Galway County Council and sponsored by Conroy Group.

Pictured: Temporary installations inspired by lighthouses acted as architectural beacons, visually linking the two shores of Lough Corrib.