Ambient Orbit: exploring ambient sound in Irish sacred spaces
Ambient Orbit began broadcasting on RTÉ lyric fm in the winter of 2022. Around this time, we were beginning to hear the fruits of music that had been recorded in new and curious ways during the second wave of the pandemic. Artists looking to overcome the logistical challenges of recording in an era of restrictions had innovatively set-up recording spaces outdoors. Suddenly, environmental ambience was an intrinsic part of jazz and electronic music with cicadas transporting us to a back garden in Chicago or resonant bird song bringing us to a leafy park in Berlin. Music welcomed the sound of the natural world and there was a perfect synchronicity to it.
My colleague Áine Gallagher and I recognised the potential for occupying this space on RTÉ lyric where field recordings from the Irish landscape could be captured and mixed with ambient music; creating an immersive and meditative experience that would allow listeners to reset and escape the noise of everyday life. Since the first episode on October 10th 2022, the non-presenter led programme - now entering its seventh series this October - has collaborated with field recordists, sound designers and ornithologists such as Seán Ronayne, Tadhg O'Sullivan, Fintan O'Brien and Aoife O'Neill in addition to broadcasting field recordings submitted by listeners.
Towards the end of the second series, we explored the idea of bringing the programme to a live setting. It seemed fitting that ancient Irish neolithic sites of mythical and sacred significance would be the setting, and solstice celebrations which mark the Gaelic calendar, would be the occasion. Through sound and music, we would attempt to channel how our ancestors would have celebrated the solstice in ancient times.
For the summer solstice in June 2023, we invited musicians Larissa O'Grady (violin), Ryan Hargadon (saxophone) and Rachael Lavelle (vocal) to Lough Gur, the oldest standing stone circle in Ireland. With two directional mics pointing towards the lake and the surrounding woods, the musicians responded live to the unfolding dawn chorus and the rising sun.
We have marked every winter and summer solstice since then; visiting the Céide Fields, the Hill of Uisneach and Loughcrew along the way, soundtracked by the unique surrounding environment and music from Dan Walsh, Méabh McKenna, RÓIS, Neil Ó'Lochlainn, Niamh Dalton, Gareth Quinn Redmond, Elaine Howley, David Kitt, Elaine Malone and Clara Webster. The show has also been performed live at Another Love Story, Gleo Festival in Limerick, Open Ear on Sherkin Island and Culture Night 2024 in collaboration with the Douglas Hyde Gallery from Trinity College.
On 14th August, Ambient Orbit partners with Kilkenny Arts Festival to broadcast from one of the chambers of Dunmore Cave, which were formed over millions of years. Kate Ellis, Nick Roth, Adam Buttimer and RÓIS will join us and we're excited to hear their experimental sounds reverberate around the historical chambers of the cave. Before returning for a new season on RTÉ lyric fm in October, we will be heading to Cork City on September 10th to broadcast from St Anne's Church, with the Shandon Bells providing the backdrop to our programme in collaboration with Sounds from a Safe Harbour. In this hectic contemporary world of digital distraction, we strive to create a peaceful programme of beautiful sounds and music to help the listener to relax, rewind and focus.
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