The Book of Water Karin Dubsky

In Partnership with Dublin Port Company

What lives beneath the surface of Ireland’s coastline — and how can we learn to see it?

Climb aboard for a unique literary and natural history trip around Dublin Bay, discovering the ecosystems and wildlife around us. As we travel, marine ecologist Karin Dubsky will help us look more closely at everything from seaweed and seabirds to marine life and the habitats beneath the waves. Our guides will be the books that have taught generations how to identify and understand the natural world — from early seaweed guides and school nature books to the pioneering Sherkin Island guides and today’s beautifully illustrated field guides.

What can these books tell us about Ireland’s changing biodiversity? A fascinating journey combining nature, science and books — and a new way to see the extraordinary life around Ireland’s coast.

This boat trip will depart from Berth 18, North Wall, Dublin 1.

Karin Dubsky is an estuarine ecologist and staff in Trinity College who specialises in citizen science.  She is head of the environmental group Coastwatch,  partner in 2 EU horizon research projects more4nature and ECOTWIN.  Karin has a history of initiating projects and actions to inform and strengthen public participation in environmental protection, monitoring and management, especially in the coastal zone. That includes co-design of the European Blue Flag for beaches, then piloting and running the scheme in Ireland for  5 years.  The Coastwatch survey, a volunteer eco-audit of the shore is closest to her citizen science heart. She co-designed it with Frank Mc Donald of the Irish Times and extended it to 23 countries, enticing citizens to discover and report on their shore, gather valuable data to share and empower to avoid or indeed challenge environmental harm. Karin likes demystifying scientific language whether in official texts, law or speech.

This event is part of Science Week 2026 supported by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland.

Please note we may be capturing imagery at this event for use on our social media and website.

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