Early Thursday morning, members of the PorterShed team were greeted by some unusual visitors. While all are welcome at the PorterShed, waterfowl are exceptionally rare as members. This did not deter Mama Duck as she and her ducklings made their way to the innovation hub on a mission, making quite an incredible journey, as the organisation does not have ready access to the river.
After arriving at PorterShed a Dó, interacting with some of its members, and failing to book a hot desk due to high demand, the ducks attempted to leave by deadly route of the road. Thankfully, to safeguard the ducks’ safety, team member Oónagh Malone constructed a makeshift wall of plastic containers to keep the ducks from the busy road before standing guard to keep away seagulls who circled menacingly overhead.
After contacting Galway and Claddagh Swan Rescue, volunteers dispatched with incredible haste to assist the anatine family. A game of cat-and-mouse ensued as the ducklings scattered, hiding in a shed inaccessible to the human volunteers. Eventually, both the mother duck and her 10 beautiful children were collected.
The valiant rescuers then brought the family to Glenlo Abbey, a much safer and more welcoming environment to waterfowl than the bustling centre of Galway city, although Mama Duck’s entrepreneurial aspirations remain intact and she will always be happily welcomed at the PorterShed.
