**Lough Neagh’s Blue-Green Algae Crisis Brought to Light at Belfast Photo Festival**
The mounting ecological crisis at Lough Neagh has taken centre stage at this year’s Belfast Photo Festival, with striking displays both in galleries and on digital billboards across the city. In an effort to draw public attention to the worsening pollution of Northern Ireland’s largest freshwater lake, organisers have incorporated real samples of toxic blue-green algae directly into their installations.
The 2025 festival has adopted the theme of “biosphere”, casting a spotlight on the delicate balance of the region’s environment. Among the visual stories presented, the state of Lough Neagh looms large. Last April saw the return of toxic blooms that had previously blanketed much of the lake during the last two summers. These incidents not only affected the lake itself but also had a knock-on effect on local beaches and water systems.
A collaboration involving five photographers, local conservation organisations, and community members has produced a collection focused on the vulnerability and splendour of Northern Ireland’s natural habitats. Major areas of concern and beauty such as Lough Neagh, peatlands, marine environments, the Belfast Hills, and even temperate rainforests have all been chronicled through these joint efforts. These stories and images are currently showcased throughout Belfast, spanning ten exhibitions and more than a dozen events.
Among the featured works is Joe Laverty’s “Shallow Waters”, which is being shown both at Antrim Lough Shore and across electronic billboards in Belfast. Laverty’s lens captures not just the environmental damage but also its repercussions for the local culture and economy. According to Toby Smith, the festival’s director, these visuals underscore the urgent need for action. He describes the images as not only serving as a stark warning, but also as a commentary on the persisting causes of this environmental emergency.
To drive home the reality of the situation, festival organisers have installed three decommissioned water coolers, now containing safely-sealed yet contaminated water drawn from Lough Neagh. Accompanying materials highlight the algae, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluent present in these samples. The installations, which bear clear public health warnings, aim to provide audiences with a tangible sense of the extent of pollution affecting water that supplies nearly 40% of Northern Ireland’s population.
Laverty, reflecting on his project, laments the “perfect storm” of human-driven factors threatening Lough Neagh. Intensive farming, industrial pollution, inadequate water treatment, sand dredging, invasive zebra mussels, and the lake’s naturally shallow depth have all contributed to a recurring bloom of harmful cyanobacteria. The ramifications have been considerable: large sections of the lough have become inaccessible for much of the year, wildlife habitats have suffered, and traditional livelihoods, such as eel fishing, have been disrupted.
Framing his approach as an exercise in slow, thoughtful journalism, Laverty says he hopes to bridge the gap between the lough’s rich traditions and the challenges presented by contemporary industry and agriculture. His aim is to present a nuanced view, exploring both the tragedies and the ongoing connection between people and place.
The festival itself offers far more than static visual art. Animated public spaces in Belfast and beyond feature installations from both local and international artists, and a packed schedule of workshops, talks and film screenings. Supported by agencies including Arts Council Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council, the event encourages audiences to not only witness but reflect on the state of the planet and their role in shaping its future.
Running until 30 June, the Belfast Photo Festival continues to challenge visitors to see beyond the surface—literally and metaphorically. The story of Lough Neagh, as told through searing images and innovative displays, serves as a powerful call to consider the cost of environmental neglect and the value of safeguarding natural heritage. Full details of the programme and locations can be found at www.belfastphotofestival.com.