Grab a decent pair of headphones.

A ‘one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art public art experience’ will be taking place in Cork and Dublin in June.

A City and A Garden, commissioned by Sounds from a Safe Harbour in association with Body & Soul, brings together some of Ireland’s most exciting writers and musicians as part of an ambitious multi-disciplinary project beginning on June 11th, 2021.

Through smartphone technology, visitors will “discover the stories and songs that lie hidden in the trees and bricks of our city spaces; interwoven narratives and soundscapes that envelop you as you walk a Cork city street, say, or the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin”.

Literary curator Danny Denton (editor of The Stinging Fly) has selected four exceptional writers – Gavin Corbett, Louise Hegarty, Lisa McInerney and Melatu-Uche Okorie – to create new stories, brought to life by Seán MacErlaine (sound designer and Musical Director), Deirdre Breen (visual artists and multidisciplinary designer), WP Cork Developers, voice-over artists, and a host of talent.

“The impact of the last 12 months has been huge on everyone in so many ways,” said Creative Director, Mary Hickson.

“At the very least, we’ve all been challenged to re-imagine the arts, our lifestyle, and commerce through a new lens. Challenges like this bring the possibility of new artistic opportunities, so we’ve risen to this and made a new event that will allow people to experience some art and culture in a way that helps them to re-interpret their surroundings in a very personal and exciting way.”

The experience, which will be available from June 11th-20th as part of Brightening Air | Coiscéim Coiligh, a nationwide, ten-day season of arts experiences brought to you by the Arts Council, is completely free. All that’s required is a smartphone, headphones, and your imagination – find out more here.