Seven hours of ‘The Dawn Chorus’ for RTÉ Radio 1, BBC Radio Wales and Lyric FM

Listen to the birds sing: in the early hours of Sunday 5^th May, International Dawn Chorus Day…

Wales and Ireland’s airwaves will come alive with birdsong from midnight to 7am on RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ Lyric FM & BBC Radio Wales.

RTÉ Radio One’s live Dawn Chorus is one of the most ambitious and innovative radio projects to have hit the Irish airwaves the broadcaster notes. For almost three decades now, Derek Mooney and his team of experts have aired uplifting and fascinating strains of early-morning birdsong to listeners as part of Ireland’s biggest annual radio event, celebrating the loudest sound in nature.

Interest in the natural world has never been higher. People have a greater appreciation of our flora and fauna, and in particular for the songs of our wild birds. The joy and optimism engendered by birdsong has become a crucial source of comfort and entertainment for a great many of us. During the height of the Covid crisis, the restrictions that were in place meant that most of us found ourselves suddenly confined to our homes, and the lack of background noise from traffic meant that the dawn chorus stood out to us like never before. It had always been there; it’s just that we had never really noticed it before and now it seems we love it.

RTÉ lyric fm turns 25… the music station “Where Life Sounds Better” celebrated birthday with a gala concert

The dawn chorus is one of the most magical experiences in nature: a multitude of birds of many different species all singing together in harmony as morning breaks and light begins to fill the skies. As our natural world’s most impressive and renowned concert, it is almost as though it has been tailor-made for radio. It never ceases. It moves, with the early morning light, like a great wave on the face of the Earth. At this moment, somewhere in the world, the birds are waking up and bursting into song.

Sinéad Wlyde, Head of RTÉ lyric fm:

‘’The Dawn Chorus is very close to our hearts in RTÉ lyric fm and as we celebrate our 25^th birthday this May it’s worth mentioning that birdsong is how RTÉ lyric fm first came into being when the new station was tested in 1999 before the first broadcast. Dawn with the awakening chorus of birds is a time of hope and joy – it has been an inspiration for musician and composers throughout time. We are delighted to be part of this wonderful initiative again this year and bring you some carefully selected music by RTÉ lyric fm presenters, Lorcan Murray, Liz Nolan and Peter Curtain to celebrate our natural world’’.

RTÉ lyric fm celebrated 25 years yesterday, Wednesday, May 1st. The debut broadcast on the dedicated classical and arts music station started at 12noon on May 1st 1999. The 25th birthday celebrations were be marked by a gala concert in Limerick, home of RTÉ lyric fm, last evening. The concert featured the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by David Brophy and a host of performers and lyric presenters.