Benedictine spirituality is at the heart of our music this week from two women more than 800 years apart the 12th century German mystic, nun and composer Hildegard of Bingen and the Irish singer of Celtic spiritual songs, and theologian, Nirn N Riain.

Inspired by Christian plainchant and by monastic settings the Benedictine Abbey of St. Hildegard in Eibingen, and Glenstal Abbey in County Limerick both women have explored vocal music as a religious experience.

As well discover with the new album for Nirn N Riain, Hearth Sounds, a collection of English-language hymns, medieval chant and Irish sacred songs ,which also features her two sons Owen and Moley Silleabhin. One of Ireland's best-known musicians, Nirn is acclaimed for her singing of Gregorian chant. She's also a theologian and musicologist who teaches at the University of Limerick, and runs retreat days in Glenstal Abbey near where she grew up in Limerick.

We'll also explore Hildegard, a recent album of medieval electronica from British composer Stevie Wishart with ensemble Sinfonye and Bjorks producer Guy Sigsworth, reimagining the monastic chant of Hildegard of Bingen, the 12th century nun, poet, herbalist, visionary, and composer of thrilling sacred music that continues to be popular today.

And to complete our St Patrick's Day programming there's the new single from Van Morrison, reworking this back catalogue with the help of Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler.

Broadcast time: 6.06 Track Title: O virtus sapientie alio modo Artist: Sinfonye/ Stevie Wishart/ Guy Sigsworth, producer Album Title: Hildegard Vespers for St Hildegard Composer: Hildegard of Bingen, Stevie Wishart Duration: 2.19 Record Co.: Decca Homepage: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stevie-Wishart/126041234101326

Broadcast time: 6.10 Track Title: The Lament of the Three Marys Artist: Nirn N Riain with Owen and Moley Silleabhin Album Title: Hearth Sounds Composer: Trad. Irish Duration: 2.30 Record Co.: Sounds True Homepage: http://www.theosony.com/noirin-ni-riain/

Broadcast time: 6.13 Track Title: Kyie Eleison (Lord Have Mercy) Artist: Nirn N Riain with Owen and Moley Silleabhin Album Title: Hearth Sounds Composer: Gregorian chant, Missa De Angelis VII, Ancient Greek Duration: 2.20 Record Co.: Sounds True Homepage: http://www.theosony.com/noirin-ni-riain/

Broadcast time: 6.16 Track Title: The Him O I Og I O Artist: Nirn N Riain with Owen and Moley Silleabhin Album Title: Hearth Sounds Composer: Scots Gallic Walking Song Duration: 1.53 Record Co.: Sounds True Homepage: http://www.theosony.com/noirin-ni-riain/

Broadcast time: 6.18 Track Title: O beata infantia alio modo Artist: Sinfonye/ Stevie Wishart/ Guy Sigsworth, producer Album Title: Hildegard Vespers for St Hildegard Composer: Hildegard of Bingen, Stevie Wishart Duration: 3.23 Record Co.: Decca Homepage: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stevie-Wishart/126041234101326

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Monastic voices