The Department Of Ultimology

The Department Of Ultimology   by Fiona Hallinan And Kate Strain 6th October 2019, RTÉ Drama On One 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.   Ultimology is the study of that which is dead or dying. 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.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.