The Sound House was a mobile sound installation created by composer and artist Dr Niamh O'Brien in collaboration with the children of St John's Parochial School, Tralee, and with Dr Ailbhe Kenny, Associate Professor in Music Education at MIC, acting as mentor on the project.
This Arts Council-funded STEAM project emerged from an interest in creating immersive, open and interactive sonic spaces in schools. Inside a child’s playhouse, the young creators placed several buttons - designed by the artist and children - which triggered music, sound and stories they had written and recorded.
The installation was created by the senior classes for the junior classes of the school. The Sound House was placed in the junior classroom and on the school yard over a period of two weeks. The process of “making for others” was a key aspect of the project, and the collaboration was bookended with periods of research and observation focused on the installation users along with their specific needs and preferences.
The project was funded by the Art Council’s Young People, Children, and Education (YPCE) Bursary, and Niamh worked with the school from January to May 2025. A version of The Sound House was also brought to MIC Arts Day 2025, where it was displayed as an installation and accompanied by a workshop facilitated by Niamh and Ailbhe for the MIC Ability Pathways (MAP) students.
Hear the children speak about the project and experience The Sound House on the video below.
