Hidden Wicklow nature sanctuary to host ‘Music in the Forest' festival

Irish Independent

4 days ago

Dorlindon Nature Sanctuary is a little-known spot situated between Roundwood and Kilmacanogue. It blends magical, fantasy‑themed handcrafted elements—like elven domes, log bridges, shrines, and rustic stone structures—with pristine forest and wetland habitats.
Forest warden Brendan Hyldbrand said: 'We have been operating for the past seven years at Dorlindon Nature Sanctuary, and continue to develop and rewild the site. We want it to be accessible but without comprising too much at the same time. It's about giving space to nature, and the compromise involved. Once humans are involved in nature, there has to be a compromise as well.
'I suppose you would call me the owner, but really we don't own anything as we won't be around forever. I rewilded the place and included a number of structures, which I crafted myself.'
Music in the Forest will run over weekends in July and August, bringing together live performances of Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music, performed in a mythical forest environment.
Brendan added: 'This is our first time hosting a festival like this and it is something we are very excited about. We have hosted events such as weddings, yoga retreats and school treasure hunts before. The weddings we hosted were pretty low key and involved lovers of nature.
'The festival dates will have a maximum of 135 people permitted as we want to limit the potential impact on biodiversity. It's a rare opportunity to gather, listen, and reflect in a place where music, imagination, and tradition meet. A contribution from the proceeds will go to the Children's Health Foundation.'
The festival will feature 3pm to 5pm daytime concerts in a natural forest amphitheatre. Things got underway on Saturday, July 19, with Catherine Rhatigan, Treasa Ni Mhaoilean and Eileen Carr.
On Saturday, July 26, a selection of Renaissance sacred polyphony from Josquin Desprez sacred music, performed by the Renaissance music vocal ensemble based in Dublin.
Join Traditional Arts Collective on Saturday, August 2, for an afternoon of traditional music, myth, dance and song. You will hear tales from Irish mythology and be introduced to ancient instruments including Irish bronze age horn, flute, harp, voice and bodhrán along with sean-nós dancing demonstrations.
Kathleen Loughnane and Cormac Cannon will explore 17th- and 18th-century Irish and Scottish repertoire on Sunday, August 3, drawing from the manuscripts of early music collectors. With her harp arrangements and Cormac's deep dive into the piping traditions of past uilleann masters, their programme blends solo and collaborative pieces. Cormac joins on pipes, flute, and whistle for a selection of tunes that bring old sounds vividly to life.
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Paul Dooley and Kseniya Rusnak present an eclectic selection of traditional tunes from Ireland and Ukraine on Saturday, August 9,, including music from the old Irish harper composers and the medieval harp repertoire, songs and some contemporary pieces.
On Sunday, August 17, Ravensdale will present compositions that include a variety of inspirations from the Early Medieval period and are sang in Old Norse, Slavic, English and Germanic, in reference to Slavic and Nordic lore.
The vocal octet Dynamics Vocal Ensemble presents a selection of choral music ranging from the renaissance to contemporary, from Farmer, Palestrina, Monteverdi, Pärt, Alfven, Kodaly to Irish and German folk songs, on Saturday, August 23.
Tickets for each concert can be purchased by visiting eventbrite.ie.