‘Lumenators’ put spotlight on the Giant’s Causeway

The ‘lumenators’ from all walks of life came together at the Giant’s Causeway in July for the third in a sequence of four Northern Ireland events in the Green Space Dark Skies project.

Carrying low-impact geolights designed by Siemens, the lumenators created spectacular waves of lights and movement alongside the Giant’s Causeway.

The location for the twilight event, developed by outdoor art experts Walk the Plank, was kept secret from the public to protect the landscape, and only revealed to people who signed up to take part as lumenators.

At the Giant’s Causeway the lumenators were guided through a series of céilí steps devised and constructed by céilí caller Roan Eastwood.

Renowned traditional musician Dónal O’Connor also composed a new piece of music as a soundtrack for a specially made film called Clochán na bhFomhórach – Steppingstones of the Formorians.

Traditional musicians from the Causeway Coast, Belfast and Armagh played on the famous stones during the event.

The Green Space Dark Skies project is part of UNBOXED, a UK-wide celebration of creativity which kicked off in April and runs until September.

UNBOXED is also presenting Our Place in Space, an immersive solar system sculpture trail, which returns to Northern Ireland from 17 September – 16 October.

The next Green Space Dark Skies event in Northern Ireland will be the grand finale on 24 September at Slieve Donard, the highest peak in the Mountains of Mourne in County Down.

Taking inspiration from the unique history and geology of Slieve Donard, patterns will be created in the landscape at dusk with the low-impact geolights carried by the lumenators.

The event will be broadcast in a BBC Countryfile special at a later date.

Mark Murphy, director of the finale, said the event would be perfect for anyone looking for a physical challenge while helping to make a stunning, light-based artwork.

Training will be provided, and participants will be accompanied by a safety team made up of mountain rescue officers and mountain guides to take them to and from their filming location.

He said: “We ask for three things – your time, your energy and your creativity. In return, we will give you an enormously enriching day and night you’ll never forget.”

Potential lumenators can register to take part at Green Space Dark Skies.

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