The Department of Ultimology by Fiona Hallinan & Kate Strain
With music by Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh
RTÉ Drama On One presents a radio essay – The Department of Ultimology - by artist Fiona Hallinan, curator Kate Strain, writer Barry Edward Fitzgerald, and with an original soundtrack by Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh.
Ultimology is the study of endings, and the essay ranges across multiple disciplines; history of art, communications technologies, linguistics, the climate emergency, the history of disease and personal stories.
The programme features contributions by Isabel Nolan, Luna Dolezal, Jessica Foley, Ross Perlin, Dora Vargha, Laura Nsengiyumva, and Salim Kajani. Each contribution reflects on a certain kind of ending: Artist Isabel Nolan chronicles her passionate interest in a funerary statue of John Donne. Ross Perlin describes how the after-lives of endangered languages defy any neat ‘sense of an ending’. Salim Kajani speaks eloquently on behalf of his fellow school pupils in calling for action in the climate emergency.
These and other voices combine over Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh’s soundtrack, based on his mastery of the hardanger fiddle and musical chance.
Script by Fiona Hallinan and Barry Edward Fitzgerald,
Score by Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh
Narration and Direction by Fiona Hallinan and Kate Strain,
Sound Design: Damian Chennells and Ciarán Cullen
Producer Kevin Brew
Series Producer: Kevin Reynolds.
Group Head of Drama and Comedy, RTÉ: Shane Murphy
The programme was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the television licence fee.