A new three-part radio programme made by the composer and radio presenter Rachel Ní Chuinn will air on 2, 3 and 4 April on the Dublin Irish language station Raidió na Life — each episode airs at 8.30pm and is available on 106.4FM in the Dublin area as well as via an online stream. Described as a ‘non-fiction opera’, Aerthonnta explores three aspects of flight, combining interviews, music and field recordings.

The first episode, titled ‘Gliding’, deals with bird flights and features an interview with the scientist and pilot Con Ó Ruairc as well as the clarinet playing of Seán Mac Erlaine. Following that, ‘Soaring’, featuring the viola playing of Clara Grimes, looks at the history of human flight and its connection with Ireland, with visits to Alcock and Brown’s landing site in Clifden as well as the Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel. The third episode, ‘Flapping’, focusses on the culture of airports and flying. This episode includes interviews with Manchán Magan, Kathleen O’Rourke and Marcus Lamb and also features the singer Laura Hyland.

Ní Chuinn is a founding member of the Dublin Laptop Orchestra and makes music under the moniker of HMS Reliant, mostly combining electric guitar with field recordings ‘with a penchant for the loud and low’. In addition to various work with interactive media performance, Ní Chuinn hosts a weekly Irish language talk show, Fios Feasa on Raidió na Life, which airs at 8pm on Wednesdays.

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