Our Audiobook Production Service Combines Factual Accuracy with Fascinating Stories
Developed for Transport Infrastructure Ireland, this audiobook production transforms the technical archaeological and historical information into an immersive production that draws the listener into the story
Developed for Transport Infrastructure Ireland, this audiobook production transforms the technical archaeological and historical information into an immersive production that draws the listener into the story
The discovery of a graveyard and the ruins of a small stone church on the outskirts of Ballyshannon in County Donegal in 2003, brought new insights into life and death in medieval Ireland. The remains of over 1,200 individuals were excavated, they represented over 1000 years of burial. The excavation was followed by the Ballyhanna Research Project – a collaborative scientific project that examined the remains in detail. A technical publication was produced by Transport Infrastructure Ireland to inform people of the discoveries. Abarta Heritage were commissioned by Transport Infrastructure Ireland to create an audiobook production as another medium that could help to tell the story of Ballyhanna. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has a superb record of disseminating archaeological information, and we were excited and honoured to have the opportunity to work with them on this project.
This groundbreaking audio book tells the story of the archaeological excavation of Ballyhanna. In 2003 archaeologists discovered the remains of a long-forgotten medieval graveyard at Ballyhanna on the outskirts of Ballyshannon in County Donegal. The graveyard contained the skeletal remains of more than a thousand men, women and children. These remains were scientifically studied by the Ballyhanna Research Project, One of the primary aims of the project is to show how scientific research may aid our interpretations of archaeology and reveal new insights into past societies. The project research tells us about this community through death and burial traditions, and by examining these aspects, it also tells us about the people that lived in this medieval community, who, over the course of a millennium, were laid to rest in a small graveyard by the banks of the River Erne.
This audio book details the excavations and scientific projects. It also tells stories from the graves, in a series of first-person fictionalised accounts based on the information gleaned during the excavation and analysis.
The discovery of a graveyard and the ruins of a small stone church on the outskirts of Ballyshannon in County Donegal in 2003, brought new insights into life and death in medieval Ireland. The remains of over 1,200 individuals were excavated, they represented over 1000 years of burial. The excavation was followed by the Ballyhanna Research Project – a collaborative scientific project that examined the remains in detail. A technical publication was produced by Transport Infrastructure Ireland to inform people of the discoveries. Abarta Heritage were commissioned by Transport Infrastructure Ireland to create an audiobook production as another medium that could help to tell the story of Ballyhanna. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has a superb record of disseminating archaeological information, and we were excited and honoured to have the opportunity to work with them on this project.
This groundbreaking audio book tells the story of the archaeological excavation of Ballyhanna. In 2003 archaeologists discovered the remains of a long-forgotten medieval graveyard at Ballyhanna on the outskirts of Ballyshannon in County Donegal. The graveyard contained the skeletal remains of more than a thousand men, women and children. These remains were scientifically studied by the Ballyhanna Research Project, One of the primary aims of the project is to show how scientific research may aid our interpretations of archaeology and reveal new insights into past societies. The project research tells us about this community through death and burial traditions, and by examining these aspects, it also tells us about the people that lived in this medieval community, who, over the course of a millennium, were laid to rest in a small graveyard by the banks of the River Erne.
This audio book details the excavations and scientific projects. It also tells stories from the graves, in a series of first-person fictionalised accounts based on the information gleaned during the excavation and analysis.
HOW WE TOLD ‘STORIES FROM THE GRAVE’
Researched by archaeologists, then crafted into a story, our job is to get the content right, and make it compelling.
HOW WE TOLD ‘STORIES FROM THE GRAVE’
Researched by archaeologists, then crafted into a story, our job is to get the content right, and make it compelling.
Combining information from the publication, The Science of a Lost Medieval Gaelic Graveyard, the Ballyhanna Research Project, with excavation reports and historical material, Neil began to tell the story of those buried at Ballyhanna. Working with Transport Infrastructure Ireland archaeologists, Neil selected a number of skeletons which had the potential to tell the broader story of what life was like in medieval Ireland.
Combining information from the publication, The Science of a Lost Medieval Gaelic Graveyard, the Ballyhanna Research Project, with excavation reports and historical material, Neil began to tell the story of those buried at Ballyhanna. Working with Transport Infrastructure Ireland archaeologists, Neil selected a number of skeletons which had the potential to tell the broader story of what life was like in medieval Ireland.
The first few tracks are designed to inform the listener about how the site was discovered, the process of excavation and the scientific analysis. The next sections are character-driven, fictionalised accounts based on the research. For example, the Story of the Pilgrim was based on the discovery of ‘Skeleton SK 1175’ – who was found with a scallop shell, indicating pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. We combined the archaeological and osteoarchaeological information with contemporary historical accounts of pilgrimage to tell her story.
The first few tracks are designed to inform the listener about how the site was discovered, the process of excavation and the scientific analysis. The next sections are character-driven, fictionalised accounts based on the research. For example, the Story of the Pilgrim was based on the discovery of ‘Skeleton SK 1175’ – who was found with a scallop shell, indicating pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. We combined the archaeological and osteoarchaeological information with contemporary historical accounts of pilgrimage to tell her story.
Once the final text had been agreed with the client, the tracks were recorded at Bluebird Studios under the experienced supervision of sound engineer, Declan Lonergan and Abarta’s producer Róisín Burke. An immersive soundscape of music and sound effects was then added to the production. The audiobook is now available on our website, on the Transport Infrastructure Ireland website, and on iTunes, Spotify, Soundcloud, Acast and all popular podcast players, ensuring the audiobook reaches the widest possible audience.