Composer Ailís Ní Ríain has created a sound installation for Maryport Lighthouse in Cumbria.

The lighthouse at Maryport Harbour has stood silent for over 200 years. Built in 1796, it was the oldest in Britain until a new tower was built from aluminium in 1996. Inspired by the sounds and rhythms of the lighthouse's lonely position at the harbour entrance, Ní Ríain's electro-acoustic piece was broadcast for three days at the end of January 2009. The soundtrack interacted with the natural sounds and acoustics of the cast iron structure so that the lighthouse played its own part in an ever-changing improvised performance.

For Lighthouse Lullaby, Ailís worked with Voz Nueva, a chamber ensemble from Denmark consisting of voice, percussion and guitar. Over the past two years Ailís has visited the harbour and spent many days listening to and recording the sounds of the sea and harbour in all weathers. Those sounds have been re-scored for voice and guitar in the final composition. 'I thought it felt feminine' Ní Ríain said. 'It felt like a woman—and if she could, maybe she would sing.'

Born in Cork, the Irish composer and writer Ailís Ní Ríain combines her interests as a composer, sound-artist and writer to produce works which challenge, provoke and engage. She is particularly interested in cross-discipline collaboration, public sound art, opera, music-theatre and presenting contemporary music in diverse spaces.

Posted: 11 February 2009