Grianstad is a cycle of immersive audio experiences designed to be timed with solstice sunsets. A series of meditative and reflective works, Grianstad aims to connect audiences to land and spirit.
The first iteration, Grianstad, was presented by THISISPOPBABY in 2022 for the winter solstice sunset. Created, written and narrated by Una Mullally, composed by Jane Arnison with additional sound design by Julie Fogarty, mixed by Jane Arnison, Solstice Song by Adam Matthews, Ben Castle, and MayKay, visual design by Niall Sweeney, and produced by Emily Brennan.
Grianstad was rereleased by 2023 and 2024 for the winter solstice.
Grianstad: The Ritual was performed live at the Beyond the Pale festival in Wicklow in Ireland in 2024, timed with the summer solstice sunset, featuring a live saxophone performance by Ben Castle, and a new spoken word piece by Una Mullally.
Grianstad 2025, dedicated to the memory of Manchán Magan, was presented by thisispopbaby, timed with the winter solstice sunset, written and narrated by Una Mullally, composer, sound design, and mixing by Jane Arnison, visual design by Niall Sweeney, and supported by An Táin, glór, Mermaid Arts Centre, Pavilion Theatre, Riverbank Arts Centre, South Tipperary Arts Centre, The Abbey Theatre, The Dock, The Gate Theatre, The Glens Centre, The Mick Lally Theatre, The Playhouse, The Visual, The Droichead Arts Centre. Thousands of people across Ireland and beyond participated.
Grianstad: The Trip was an immersive audio theatre piece presented at the Beyond the Pale festival in Wicklow in Ireland in 2026. Created, written and narrated by me in collaboration with Jane Arnison (composer, sound design, and mixing), produced by Sarah Francis and Emma Somers, commissioned by the arts programme of Beyond the Pale. Designed for an audience of 70 on silent disco headphones, Grianstad: The Trip led the audience on an immersive sound journey through the festival site, culminating in a life performance in a forest.