The Shaking Bog’s Riverscapes project was launched with a programme of events on 17th May entitled From Dawn ‘til Dusk - a day-long celebration of place, heritage and nature. Beginning with a magical walk through the forest at dawn, the day unfolded with events for all ages across the Glencree Valley in County Wicklow and this podcast offers a snapshot of just some of the highlights.
Artists and nature experts featured in this podcast, include (in order of appearance): acclaimed author and naturalist Mark Cocker in conversation with Ella McSweeney, the award-winning eco poet Jane Robinson, renowned expert in pollinators and pollination ecology, Professor Jane Stout and an extraordinary piece of music from the wonderful violinist Lynda O’Connor and pianist Ailbhe McDonagh.
Produced by The Shaking Bog (www.shakingbog.ie) in collaboration with Mermaid Arts Centre. Written & presented by Catherine Nunes, edited by Eileen Timmons, mixed and recorded by Steve McGrath, with theme music composed by Ray Harmon.
Further information about the artists and contributors:
Mark Cocker is an author and naturalist who writes and broadcasts on wildlife in a variety of British media including The Guardian and The Guardian Weekly. He has written 13 critically acclaimed books, covering works of biography, history, literary criticism and memoir. (www.markcocker.com)
Ella McSweeney is a well-known journalist and broadcaster who regularly contributes to The Irish Times, writing about the climate crisis and the environment. She has worked for RTÉ - perhaps best known for presenting Ear to the Ground - the BBC and the Guardian newspaper.
Jane Robinson is a nature/eco poet and biologist whose many award-winning poems address the urgent issue of environmental loss. Her first collection, Journey to the Sleeping Whale (2018) was begun when she lived just two and a half Irish miles from Enniskerry. Her poem, Orchard Diary of Our Undoing is from her collection Island and Atoll published by Salmon Poetry, 2023.
Professor Jane Stout is Vice President for Biodiversity & Climate Action and Professor of Ecology (Botany) at Trinity College Dublin. She is a renowned expert on pollinator and pollination ecology, and a prominent voice for biodiversity and its value. She is co-founder and Chair of the Irish Forum on Natural Capital and co-founder and deputy Chair of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan www.pollinators.ie
Lynda O’Connor is widely regarded as one of the finest Irish violinists of her generation. She regularly performs internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. In August 2024 she released her debut solo album “The Irish Four Seasons” on the Avie label. (www.lyndaoconnorviolin.com)
Ailbhe McDonagh is an Irish cellist, international soloist, chamber musician and recording artist. As a composer she has a large collection of chamber, orchestral and pedagogical works to her name. Her much anticipated violin concerto ‘The Irish Four Seasons’ was released in 2024. (www.ailbhemcdonagh.com)
Cover photo of white throat by Edward Barr
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