Here at DRONELIFE, St. Patrick’s Day is a company holiday on other years: our CEO holds an Irish passport, and our home town of Boston usually celebrates Evacuation Day (look it up) as a reason to take the day off.  This year is different – but the St. Patrick’s Day drone show over the night sky in Dublin presented a moving message of hope and unity while traditional celebrations were shuttered.

“Orchestra of Light” is a short film created by St. Patrick’s Festival, Tourism Ireland, and Dublin City Council.  The film was pre-recorded in Dublin in early March.  Intel and Actavo Events collaborated on the film, which represents Intel’s first ever Drone Light Show in Ireland.  The St. Patrick’s Day drone show features 500 Intel drones, forming a series of animations.  It’s a beautiful piece of film art: and demonstrates the capabilities of operating swarms of drones in incredibly precise and elaborate patterns.

“Although St. Patrick’s Day public celebrations in Ireland and around the world will not take place this year, Orchestra of Light invites audiences to enjoy a spectacular world-class event from the comfort and safety of their kitchens and living rooms,” says the creators.  “…A series of animations designed by St. Patrick’s Festival and Aiden Grennelle tell a powerful story of love, hope and home, while celtic knots, musical instruments and Irish dance represent the world-wide reach and love of Irish culture, celebrated by millions each year on 17 March.”

“The short film is produced by ShinAwiL and scored by Irish composer Eimear Noone and her husband Craig Stuart Garfinkle. Along with RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, the duo has collaborated with Irish band Picture This on the score, which features an orchestral remix of the band’s latest single ‘Things Are Different’.”