Feather and Flock
Anja Murray and Brían Mac Gloinn present this six-part series delving in to the ways of six iconic native Irish birds. Each episode combines ecology, folklore and history to uncover the incredible lives and journeys of these wild creatures. A key theme is conservation, and we hear from those who are at the forefront in ensuring that these bird’s songs will continue to be heard. Each programme is soundtracked with immersive on location recordings, avian themed folk and traditional music and an original composition from Brían Mac Gloinn. The series was the winner of the Best Factual Series at the 2024 IMRO Irish Radio Awards.
Episode 1: Cuckoo
Cuckoo is a charismatic bird with a wealth of cultural associations. In this episode, ecologist Anja Murray and musician Brían Mac Gloinn explore the timing of the cuckoo’s arrival back in Ireland each spring and the flower rich habitats where they call out over during April and May, including the presence of cuckoo flowers and orange-tip butterflies. The pair meet someone who has been satellite tagging Irish cuckoos to find out where exactly they go each winter and get some insight into the reasons behind this bird’s strong presence in traditional music and song from fiddler and singer Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh.
Commissioned by RTÉ lyric fm and funded by RTÉ Independent Radio Productions and Coimisiún na Meán from the television license fee.
Presenters: Anja Murray and Brían Mac Gloinn
Produced by: Anja Murray
Original score and songs by Brían Mac Gloinn
Sound Design & Editing: Brían Mac Gloinn
Producer for RTÉ lyric fm: Eoin O Kelly
(First broadcast 5th May 2024)
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 23rd March, 6pm-7pm

