WATCH: Laois artists and musicians unite for Irish nature

The Crann Croí Collective describe themselves as a gathering of Laois Artists and Musicians all joined together in aid of Irish Nature.

Funded by Creative Ireland and the Heritage Council, they have released the first chapter of their audiovisual project "Fréamhacha - The Roots of Huath" which they say is a modern retelling of the Irish Famine through the lens of Ireland herself.

The entire project is based around and filmed in Donaghmore, which is known for the Donaghmore Workhouse and Agriculture Museum near Rathowney.

"Fréamhacha" is described as a lunar album of which there will be 13 chapters over the year, each one released on a full moon.

The album is in aid of Hometree, a charity dedicated to the restoration and regeneration of Irish Native Woodland.

There will be a chance to hear the entire album in full on Saturday, November 21, in Swallows Quarter, Donaghmore, Co. Laois.

This is a community event and open to the public, with many of the artists and musicians present.

The Project Director is Ciara Julia Ryan, who led the vision for the audiovisual exploration of Irish heritage. Ciara Julia grew up in the Donaghmore locality and participated in Famine pageants as a child. She trained at the Gaiety School of Acting and went on to tour nationally and internationally with theatre companies and bands across the globe.

She has returned home to Laois after years of travel with an intention to bring her creativity and passion for Irish nature into her work and community.

Liza Delaney, a composer and violinist, is one of the musicians involved. Liza blends ancient Irish roots with world, folk, and contemporary styles. Having studied at Cork School of Music, she made her debut as a composer at Dublin’s Chester Beatty Museum, performing original compositions and arrangements of Persian / Irish fusion based around the writings of John Moriarty and the poet Rumi. Liza also co-founded and leads Erkina River Choir and runs Ossory Forest School – a project designed to bring all members of the community into nature to explore the natural heritage of the region.

Erin Lalor, composer and harpist, describes herself as a traditional Irish fiddle, harp and piano player. Alongside her studies, she has been teaching music for a number of years to an array of students and groups. She collaborates and frames the poems, songs and melodies of artists across the country with a deep-rooted Irish trad influence and some European folk-inspired nuances.

Hendrik Kühling is a composer, guitarist and sound engineer. He is a freelance artist working across folk, punk, blues and trad, and contemporary dance. After studying sound engineering in Berlin, he worked as an onboard engineer with the John Lennon Bus and later as a freelancer across a diverse range of music and video productions. Drawing on a broad spectrum of influences and experience, he brings versatility, depth, and a distinctive creative approach to every project.

Helen Delaney, cellist, is a native of Rathdowney native who works with her sister Liza to collaborate in sound, music and tone.

Eddie Kavanagh is a highly experienced bodhrán player with almost 20 years of performing experience across multiple continents. He has toured extensively with Irish dance shows, Irish embassies and continues to bring a fresh, rhythmic approach to Irish music projects.

O’Mahoney Multimedia are responsible for the project’s live recordings. They specialise in professional live remote audio recording, capturing high-quality sound from concerts, performances and events on location. With a mobile recording setup and expert audio engineering, we deliver polished, broadcast-ready recordings without the need for a studio

Justin Stevenson is Director of Photography. A director, cameraman and editor, he has worked on many projects, from promotional ads to music videos and documentaries.

John Stevenson is the Assistant Director. A filmmaker, he has worked on a variety of productions ranging from short films, promo videos, short documentaries and current affairs media by telling engaging, entertaining and thought-provoking stories through the craft of constructing unique, high-quality, visual cinematic imagery.

Ruth Calder-Potts is responsible for still photography on the project. Her photography is heavily influenced by her experience in theatre and film, growing up on an organic farm in Kilkenny & love of a good story.

Douglas Ross also works on still photography. He has worked as an artist and photographer for many years and crafts evocative images inspired by mythology and history.

Others involved include Hilary Bowen-Walsh. She is a multidisciplinary artist working across stage and screen. She has studied acting at Bow Street, Drama and Theatre Studies and French at University College Cork and the Université Sorbonne-Nouvelle, Paris.

Megan O’Malley is an actor and award-winning playwright from Co. Wexford. Megan trained in the Gaiety School of Acting before going on to gain two Masters Degrees, an MA in Theatre Practice from UCD and an MFA in Playwriting from The Lir.

Orlaith Ní Chearra is an actor and dance artist working across stage and screen. She trained at London Studio Centre on a Leverhulme scholarship and is co-founder of Fizz & Chips Theatre Company.

William Jahn is a Brazilian Zouk dancer working on somatic and emotional movement. On the side, he runs an AI consultancy.

Laois-based Bunny Parsons works on the lighting.

Goldsmith Dani Bergman was a sculptor who now creates “other people's dreams” in gold and silver using precious and semi-precious gems as well as old gold.

Glenn Gibson, a professional Irish wire sculptor based in Castlecomer, works on the sculpture aspects of the project. He is best known for his tree sculptures.

Ben Clarke, a Software Developer, runs the website.

The team at the Donaghmore Workhouse and Agriculture Museum, IVETA HQ at Swallows Quarter, Donaghmore and Making Tracks Glamping in Ballybrophy are also supporting the work.

For more information, to donate and to follow along, visit our website www.cranncroicollective.ie