The event and film in Sperrin AONB take inspiration from the flourishing outdoor activities scene across the region and the many ways that people can engage with the landscape. With 10 peaks in excess of 1,600ft, numerous lakes and rivers, forest parks featuring challenging mountain bike trails, an abundance of sites of archaeological interest from the Neolithic, Megalithic and Early Christian eras and an international dark sky park, there is much for residents and visitors to enjoy outdoors.
Sperrin AONB – County Tyrone
Location:
Gortin Glen Lakes
Stretching from the Strule Valley to Lough Neagh, the Sperrin AONB encompasses a glaciated landscape that’s rich in history and contains internationally important blanket bog.
The Sperrin film features a number of those activities with groups who participate in them locally – the wild swimmers of the Gortin Dippers, kayakers from Erne Paddlers, Parkour performers Urban Motion, star gazers from the OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory and the bushcraft and forest enthusiasts, the Wild Women of the Woods.
Ryan Vail Still-ness
Ryan’s love of the natural environment and cinematic approach is evident in this composition for Green Space Dark Skies: ‘Still-ness’ which was directly inspired by the location.
Ryan Vail’s music blends the worlds of electronica, folk and classical – always experimentally combining classical instruments with unique methods of recording and composition. His most recent album ‘Borders’ was a collaborative project with fellow Derry-based musician and visual artist Elma Orkestra. ‘Borders’ won the ‘Album Of The Year’ award at the 2019 Northern Irish Music Prize, and was the subject of a BBC documentary, which first aired in February 2020.
The Gortin Dippers
Enniskillen based dance artist and choreographer Dylan Quinn devised a series of collective movements that Lumenators were guided through by his team of movement captains as they navigated the pathways around Gortin lakes. Through his company Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre, Dylan has been creating work that says something about the world within which we live, including site-specific works within a range of different types of environments.
As well as providing a collective sense of purpose for the Lumenators, the actions helped bring a sense of movement to the lines created by the Geolights within the landscape.
Wild Women of the Woods
Erne Paddlers
Urban Motion Parkour performer
Find out more about the OM Dark Sky Park
OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory in Sperrin AONB is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. An International Dark Sky Park, where astronomy meets archaeology. Why are dark skies important? Have a listen to discover why and find out what to look out for in the Dark Sky Park.
Lying in the heart of Northern Ireland, the Sperrin AONB encompasses a largely mountainous area of great geological complexity. Stretching from the Strule Valley in the west to the perimeter of the Lough Neagh lowlands in the east, this area presents vast expanses of moorland penetrated by narrow glens and deep valleys.
In its south, the Burren area is noted for its lakes, sandy eskers (ridges) and other glacial features. The area is rich in historic and archaeological heritage and folklore.
More about this location
We’d like to thank all the groups who participated:
- An Creagán
- Earth Mamas
- Erne Paddlers
- Errigal Ensemble
- Gortin Dippers
- OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory
- Urban Motion
- Wild Women of the Woods
- Connect Youth – Dylan Quinn Dance
Thanks to our partners who supported this event:
- Sperrins Partnership
- Fermanagh Omagh Council