The Dublin Literary Music New Trail 2011 consists of a main trail at the literary parade in St Patrick’s Park as well as an extended trail across South Georgian Dublin.
The Main Trail
The Main Trail consists of five alcoves along the literary parade in St Patrick’s Park. At these alcoves open air music can be triggered at any time once one is in close proximity to the alcove.
The Extended Trail
The Extended Trail consists of six additional locations across South Georgian Dublin associated with Irish writers. For the extended trail music can be followed and listened to with a smartphone by downloading the free layar application for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, Android, and Symbian devices.
See the User Guide for further information and instructions.
Irish Writers and Irish Composers
“Music expresses that which canot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent” (Victor Hugo)
Irish composers frequently engage creatively with the prose and poetry of their compatriots. Through their music, they transform the images created by words into an abstract world of pure sound, amplifying and broadening the possibilities of literary language. The Dublin Literary New Music Trail 2011 weaves you through those locations in Dublin where great Irish writers studied, taught and found refuge! It is well known that between the mid-1940s and the late 60s, McDaid’s Pub was a major centre of literary activity in Dublin. It was where a young MacDara Woods met many major poets, among them Patrick Kavanagh. By the early 1970s, most of the clientele of McDaid’s moved on to Grogan’s, which in the following years (and until the present!) is regarded as a haven for artists of all shades. These locations along with all others on this The Dublin Literary New Music Trail 2011 have been carefully chosen due to their literary connections, with each piece of music accompanying each location selected due to the relationship between that Irish composer and Irish writers. The Contemporary Music Centre’s The Dublin Literary New Music Trail 2011 provides the curious listener with an opportunity to partake in a unique literary/musical journey in Dublin city.
The Contemporary Music Centre
The Contemporary Music Centre is Ireland's national archive and resource centre for new music, supporting the work of composers throughout the Republic and Northern Ireland.
The Centre is used, nationally and internationally, by performers, composers, promoters and members of the public interested in finding out more about music in Ireland. Its library and sound archive, open to the public free of charge, contain the only comprehensive collection in existence of music by Irish composers. Extensive reference and advice services are available and the Centre's web site provides access to CMC's resources for those who cannot visit in person.
The Contemporary Music Centre engages in an ongoing programme of development work to promote new Irish music at home and abroad, and is a member of the International Association of Music Information Centres (IAMIC).
Dublin Writers’ Festival 2011
The Dublin Literary New Music Trail 2011 is part of the Dublin Writers' Festival, 23 – 29 May 2011. The Trail is launched on 23 May and runs throughout the Festival. A special screening of 5 ReJoyce in Music Videos celebrating the inspiration of James Joyce on 5 Irish composers: Vincent Kennedy, Michael Holohan, Trevor Knight, Rob Canning and Benjamin Dwyer, takes place on 23 May 2011.
Irish Writers’ Centre
The Irish Writers’ Centre is a hub of literary activity in Dublin, supporting established and aspiring writers from its base in 19 Parnell Square, promoting contemporary writers and their work nationally and internationally.