The pied pipers of fun behind Sounds from a Safe Harbour and Body & Soul have combined to create ‘A City and A Garden’ which will occur during Brightening Air | Coiscéim Coiligh, a ten-day nationwide season of arts experiences bringing together some of Ireland’s most exciting writers, musicians, and voice artists to create a new state-of-the-art sonic experience that combines story and song with the world around us.

From 11-20 June, visitors will discover, through smartphone technology, the stories and songs that lie hidden in the trees and bricks of our city spaces; interwoven narratives and soundscapes that envelop you as you walk a Cork city street or the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin.

Literary curator Danny Denton (editor of The Stinging Fly) has selected four exceptional writers to create new stories. Be led around the National Botanic Gardens with tales from Gavin Corbett or Melatu-Uche Okorie; or follow a story by Louise Hegarty that takes you from North Mall in Cork to Bells Field, or walk with Lisa McInerney from The Shakey Bridge to Red Abbey Square.

The stories will be voiced by Hilary Rose (The Young Offenders, Smother), Conor Lovett (I’ll Find You, Endeavour: Coda, Versailles), Dorothy Murphy and Tolü Makay.

Creating soundscapes to these stories are musicians Seán Mac Erlaine (sound designer and musical director), Fish Go Deep, The Quiet Club, with Dorothy Murphy and Tolü Makay contributing to both the narration and music.

Visual installations by artist and designer Deirdre Breen will adorn each route, with WP Cork Developers providing the state-of-the-art technology to guide you through the four trails.

“To be part of this project means a lot to me. I find myself intrigued with the beauty of what life provides, and to have my first acting role be presented in a wonderful place like Botanic Garden written by Melatu-Uche Okorie is incredible. I hope people love the voice and the wonderful work put in by an amazing team made to guide them as they embrace and love the nature around them.” – Tolu Makay

Explore this one-of-a-kind art experience, for free, throughout Brightening Air | Coiscéim Coiligh, and Cork Midsummer Festival, 11-20 June 2021 http://soundsfromasafeharbour.com/ 

For more information on Brightening Air | Coiscéim Coiligh go to www.brighteningair.com. Brightening Air | Coiscéim Coiligh is brought to you by the Arts Council, funded by the Government of Ireland and produced by Schweppe Curtis Nunn.