The historical significance of sustainable fishing in Dundalk Bay.

Unveiled on Blackrock Promenade in 2018, The Cocklepickers by local artist Micheál McKeown celebrates a tradition that sustained generations of families in the area. The woven stainless-steel sculpture depicts two cocklepickers, honouring the men and women who harvested cockles from Blackrock Beach for centuries.

More than a local industry, cocklepicking was a vital source of food and income for the community. During the Great Famine (1845–1852), many local families relied on cockles for survival, highlighting their importance in combating hunger and supporting livelihoods. The sculpture reflects the spirit of SDG 2: Zero Hunger, recognising the value of local food sources  and resilient communities. Local history records that William Charles Fortescue (1806–1829), known as the ‘Cockle Lord’, levied a tax on cockle gatherers at Blackrock and Lurgangreen, underlining the significance of cocklepicking to life in the area.