Songs of the Spirits: East Meets West
- Sunday 02 November 4:00pm
- St. Ann's Church
- €14 + €1 Booking Fee
music
This Hallowe’en, cross the spectral veil at Schola Hyberniae’s “Songs of the Spirits: East Meets West.” Inspired by the ancient rituals of Oíche Shamhna and Japan’s Festival of Obon, this performance explores and celebrates the universal human desire to honour and remember the dead.
Fresh from its premiere in Osaka at World Expo 2025, Dublin audiences are invited to experience the ethereal beauty of Gregorian chant, Irish song, and haunting Japanese choral traditions woven together by some of Ireland’s most acclaimed vocalists.
Featuring music unearthed from the archives of Trinity College Dublin and Marsh’s Library, Dublin, this performance will include rare chants from medieval Irish manuscripts, specially arranged by director Dr Giovanna Feeley for this event. Sitting alongside centuries-old Japanese orasho melodies, this performance merges ancient Irish and Japanese memory in voice.
Supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Dublin City Council.
| Duration | 1 hour |
|---|---|
| Doors | 3.30pm |
| Age Suitability | All ages (Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult) |
| Latecomers | Latecomers will only be permitted at a suitable break in the performance. This is a site-specific venue with unreserved seating. We recommend you get to the venue early in order to choose a suitable seat. |
| Accessibility | Venue is wheelchair accessible. More info |
St. Ann's Church, 18 Dawson St, Dublin 2, D02 YV57
The closest step-free Luas stops are located at the Dawson Street stop (140m away) on the Green Line and the Abbey Street stop (1km away) on the Red Line.
St. Ann’s Church is served by a number of Dublin Bus routes. The closest stops are:
Stop 793, Dawson Street, Northbound: 7B, 7D, 11, 37, 38, 38A, 38B, 38D, 39, 39A, 39X, 40, 44, 44D, 46A, 46E, 70, 116, 118, 145, 155
Stop 403, Nassau Street, Southbound: 11, 37, 38, 38A, 38B, 38D, 39, 39A, 40, 70, 180
Stop 405, Nassau Street, Southbound: 4, 7, 7A, 845
Nearest parking is Q-Park Dawson Street. Onstreet parking is also available on Molesworth and Frederick Street.
Accessibility Information
Ticketing
This is a ticketed event. Wheelchair accessible tickets are available at the time of booking. Tickets are €14 + €1 Booking Fee.
Arrival
Dawson Street is a busy commercial street, filled with restaurant goers and office workers, and the overspill of consumers from Grafton Street. Please note the Luas tracks that run across the pedestrian crossings on Dawson Street. The street surfaces are paved with smooth flagstones, but some streets just off Grafton Street are awaiting repaving, so some of those surfaces may be uneven.
The closest step-free Luas stops are located at the Dawson Street stop (140m away) on the Green Line and the Abbey Street stop (1km away) on the Red Line.
St. Ann’s Church is served by a number of Dublin Bus routes. The closest stops are:
Stop 793, Dawson Street, Northbound: 7B, 7D, 11, 37, 38, 38A, 38B, 38D, 39, 39A, 39X, 40, 44, 44D, 46A, 46E, 70, 116, 118, 145, 155
Stop 403, Nassau Street, Southbound: 11, 37, 38, 38A, 38B, 38D, 39, 39A, 40, 70, 180
Stop 405, Nassau Street, Southbound: 4, 7, 7A, 845
Nearest accessible parking is Q-Park Dawson Street, which is 290m away. Onstreet accessible parking is also available on Molesworth and Frederick Street.
Entry
There are two stone steps with no handrail at the main door. A portable ramp is available for wheelchair users. A staff member will be there to assist.
Space
An 18th Century Church of Ireland place of worship in a busy city centre location, St. Ann’s schedules frequent church services. Lined with church pews that face the altar, the capacity for this space is 280. Due to the age of this building, some spaces may be tight.
Accessible Bathroom / WC
1 – There is no accessible toilet on site. The nearest accessible bathrooms are in The Ivy and Café En Seine on Dawson Street.
2 – There is a ground floor accessible bathroom with handrails and a lowered hand basin.
Bar
There will be no bar at this event.
Performance Space
The choir will perform from the altar and the audience members will be seated in the church pews.
Seating
St. Ann’s is fitted with long, wooden church pews. There are armrests at either end. There will be designated spaces for wheelchair users to sit, if they wish to stay in their wheelchair. These accessible tickets are available at the time of booking.
Sound
The choir will not be using any amplification and will sing a capella.
Lighting
Throughout the venue, there will be brighter lights with some darkened areas. The bathrooms have direct white light. Lights will be dimmed during the performance.
Quieter Room
There is no designated quiet space in St. Ann’s Church.