The Hag’s Hollow

With Tara Baoth Mooney, Diarmuid Mac Diarmada and Eimear Reidy

The Hag’s Hollow is the first of a three-part cycle of soundscapes based on the mysterious megalithic site nestled in the Briclieve mountains at Carrowkeel, Co Sligo. Some of the 14 cairns held the remains of a people traced to Anatolia in Turkey that were carefully placed on flat stones within the walls. Ritual and regular visits would have kept these precious places animated.

This work looks at re-animating ritual as an act of deep care. The dominating presence of the Hag of Winter or the Cailleach Bhérra is associated with the personification of this land. The hag is the great overseer and keeper of sovereignty.

By working with the physical site, field recordings of existing resonances from within the chambered structures, acoustic sounds that interact with the wider landscape. The artists are extending the physical geo-location of the site to also include the more intangible elements of storytelling, folklore and essence.

The performance will incorporate these elements of storytelling, field recordings and ritual, using various instruments and found objects (including stones, bones, cello, gong, autoharp bass guitar and live electronics) with an array of speakers placed around the room, immersing the audience in a sonic and musical evocation of the Carrowkeel site.

Tara Baoth Mooney is an interdisciplinary artist whose work encompasses sound, performance, textiles, drawing and video. Diarmuid Mac Diarmada is a musician, visual artist and producer. Eimear Reidy is a cellist with a diverse musical practice ranging from historical performance practice to sound art.

This project is supported by The Arts Council / An Comhairle Ealaíon