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‘House of Light’ was the original description given to the Irish World Academy building by architect Daniel Cordier to describe his vision of a building that interacted with the world around it - the Shannon river, the Clare hills, the Living bridge - and encouraged creative collaboration and vision.
For many years, the Academy has curated a ‘House of Light’ event at the beginning of February, the time of Imbolc and the coming of the light. These events have included an all-night ritual based around the traditions of the Indian and Irish goddesses of wisdom, Saraswati and Sionna, as well as a Nepalese/Irish event exploring shared Bronze Age instrumental traditions.
This year, the House of Light event, ‘Calling the Clans’, will celebrate the legacy of past colleagues from the Irish World Academy and the Irish Chamber Orchestra. The day will include the honorary conferring of composer, clarinettist and conductor Jörg Widmann, for the extraordinary contributions he has made during his time as principal conductor of the Irish Chamber Orchestra. The conferring ceremony will include a live performance of his work by the ICO and students of the Academy, as well as the presentation of scholarships to the first recipients of a new scholarship initiative by the ICO for Academy students. The day will also feature a series of public, recorded oral history interviews with Jörg and past colleagues including Carl Corcoran, Dr Catherine Foley, Dr Mary Nunan and Dr Colin Quigley. It will culminate in ‘The Three Forges’ concert, curated by Prof Mel Mercier for the Irish Gamelan Orchestra and guests, marking his rich contribution over a career-long engagement with Irish higher education, including his seminal role as first Chair of Performing Arts at the Irish World Academy.
11am - Invitation Only Event: Jörg Widmann honorary conferring with ICO performance and scholarship presentations (Theatre One, Irish World Academy Building).
2.15pm-3.45pm-Public Event: Oral history interviews with Carl Corcoran, Dr Mary Nunan and Jörg Widmann, conducted by Matthew Draper from the Irish Chamber Orchestra (Tower Theatre, Irish World Academy Building).
4pm-5.30pm-Public Event: Oral history interviews with Dr Catherine Foley and Dr Colin Quigley. Interviews conducted by Dr Aileen Dillane from the Irish World Academy (Tower Theatre, Irish World Academy Building).
7pm-8.30pm: The Three Forges Concert. This performance is open to the public. Admission is free, and all are welcome.