Sensory Sounds: an event for neurodivergent music fans is happening this Saturday with music from Ronan O’Snodaigh/Myles O’Reilly
Sensory Sounds is a new event happening this Saturday afternoon, September 16th at Liberty Park, in the North Inner City, Dublin 1.
Brought to you by Happenings, Sensory Sounds aims to provide a safe space for neurodivergent people and their families
The idea for the event came when Happenings organiser Peter O’Brien put on called Sounds of Solstice in The Law Society with music from Ronan O’Snodaigh/Myles O’Reilly and Anna Mullarkey.
Last year we had a stunningly beautiful music event called Sounds of Solstice in The Law Society with Ronan O’Snodaigh and Myles O’Rielly and Anna Mullarkey. At this event two autistic adults arrived with their carer. Observing their bliss to the sensory sounds filling the air, was a joy to behold for all in attendance. It was at this event Sensory Sounds was inspired into existence.
Ronan O’Snodaigh and Myles O’Reilly will return to play the Sensory Sounds event, along with Mary Barnacutt and Aisling Ennis, Mathew Nolan, Sharon Phelan and Lisa Dowdall.
There will also be Bouncy Castles and six Irish wolfhounds on site. It will close with a meditation from Jen Healy aka Yin Yoga Jen.
Experienced staff will be on hand for the alcohol-free event, and tickets are €10 with money going towards charity partners Neurodiversity Ireland, and funding from Central Area Office and Dublin City Council’s Arts Office.
This event is open to all in the neurodivergent community, those who support and all music fans. Tickets here.
Ronan O’Snodaigh and Myles O’Reilly – 4pm
A huge thanks to musicians Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Myles O’Reilly’s, whose performance at Sounds of Solstice last summer, completely inspired this event and they were both eager to make it come to life. Their sound is the perfect blend of traditional Irish and contemporary ambient music with a deep droning heart. This sound will fill the park with sensory sensations for all in attendance. They announced the release of their second album ‘The Beautiful Road’, a soulful blend of folk, traditional, and ambient crossover and they will be performing songs from both this album and their fist album at Sensory Sounds. Their debut album Ta Go Maith, is inspiring and was warmly received by Irish audiences after its release in May 2020, Rónán and Myles have been playing numerous shows at home and abroad, showcasing their unique sound to an ever-growing fan-base. Their sound is made for many audiences ears, but we feel they have the perfect frequency for our neurodivergent family
Mary Barnacutt and Aisling Ennis – 3.15pm
Mary Barnecutt is Dublin-based musician who works with a wide variety of artistic and educational projects. She writes and arrange music for film, theatre, dance productions and frequently works as a string arranger and soundtrack collaborator, most recently with Stephen Shannon for his Fathoms EP. She is music programmer of the Sundays at Noon concert series in Dublin’s Hugh Lane Gallery, and is co-director of ‘Spike’, Dublin’s annual alternative cello festival. She has two solo albums, Into Air 2016 and Like Water: due for release in 2023 www.marypigeons.com
Aisling Ennis is a passionate performer, arranger and educator, she enjoys a varied career as a solo, chamber, orchestral harpist and educator. Aisling will continue her series of experimental collaborations with three international female artists (Imogen-Blue Hinojosa, Shiva R Joyce and Una Palliser) on the subject of ‘Mother’. Thanks to Strategic Project Funding from Wicklow Arts Office, 2023 will also see Aisling bring her lecture recital ‘Ceol Sí: Fairy Music to every library in county Wicklow. Aisling is a 2022 member of Wicklow Artists Panel and works to support and enrich the arts in her beloved home, Wicklow. Her album Folly of Melancholy is available here. www.aislingennis.com Aisling performs on a Salvi Minerva concert harp, Tomás Mac Uileagóid ‘Eala’ Irish harps and Camac electric harps. Aisling’s work is supported by Arts Council Ireland and Wicklow County Council.
For this performance myself and Aisling are developing our mutual joy in joint improvisations around big melodic ideas, some of our own, some traditional Irish tunes and some from our collective backgrounds in many different genres of music. This performance is focussed on making sounds that make patterns, are calming and induce reflection. My experience of living with a neurodivergent family member is that they prefer sounds that induce regularity, calmness and softness, with a hint of mischief and fun. There is also a nod in this performance to a love of animals and very strong connection to nature. Mary Barnecutt.
Mathew Nolan, Sharon Phelan and Lisa Dowdall – 2.30pm
This trio features a synthesized mesh of chamber music and electronics that sounds like little else. Classical sounds with indie sensibilities, film-music moodiness and digital experimentation. It’s easy to imagine it finding a permanent life soundtracking the more contemplative moments in our lives. Expect A Seriously Sensational Sensory Set.
