Harp Ireland

A CELEBRATION of EDWARD BUNTING | 27 January 2023 | NCH
2023-01-27 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/Dublin) | NCH, Earlsfort Terrace, Saint Kevin's, Dublin, D02 N527, Dublin 2, D02 N527, Ireland
A CELEBRATION of EDWARD BUNTING – his life, music and legacy
Marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of Edward Bunting, this concert celebrates the music, life and legacy of Edward Bunting. Music and songs from Bunting’s three collections will be interwoven with extracts from his personal letters by Bryan Murray (actor), Teresa O’Donnell (harp), Mary Louise O’Donnell (voice), Denice Doyle (violin), Jane Hughes (cello) and Pat Fitzpatrick (uilleann pipes).
NATIONAL CONCERT HALL, John Field Room
Lunchtime concert on Friday 27th January 2023 at 1.05pm
Tickets at www.nch.ie

Harps at St Brendan's Church of Ireland, Birr
2023-02-12 19:30 - 21:00 | St Brendan’s Church of Ireland, Oxmantown Mall, Birr
Harp Ireland in association with Birr Music Festival presents
Harp Concert at St Brendan’s Church of Ireland, Birr
Sunday 12th February 2023, 7.30pm
Featuring Siobhán Armstrong (early Irish harp) Tríona Marshall (Irish harp) & Martin Tourish (accordion), The Wexford Harp Ensemble with Director Aileen Kennedy, The Music Generation Harp Collective with Michael Rooney with Siobhán Buckley, William Jackson and Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla
Admission €15. Tickets at https://birrtheatre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873643673
Harp Ireland in association with Birr Music Festival and the Earl of Rosse presents
Harp Concert at the saloon at BIRR CASTLE
Sunday 12th February 2023, 4.00pm
Featuring Siobhán Armstrong (early Irish harp) Tríona Marshall (Irish harp) & Martin Tourish (accordion)

Portlaoise Trad Fest: Harp Workshop with Eimear Coughlan
2023-04-28 - 2023-04-30 | Portlaoise, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, Ireland
County Laois has an amazing Irish Traditional Scene. Between the tutorage from both Music Generation Laois and Comhaltas, the young players of the county are outstanding. The Portlaoise Trad Fest team feel it is the right time to showcase the talented musicianship found in Laois on the national stage. One of Portlaoise Trad Fest’s aim is to create a vibrant session scene in Portlaoise. As well as featuring local musicians, the festival will also bring top quality musicians to ‘The Town’, inspiring the upcoming younger musicians.
Portlaoise Trad Fest is for everyone. We know how much fun and enjoyable Irish Traditional Music can be. It has the power to change lives and we want to bring that energy to the community at large and show the people of Portlaoise how brilliant and exciting our traditional music is.
Portlaoise Trad fest runs on the 28th & 29th of April. We plan to run concerts, workshops, youth session and a session trail, never before seen in Portlaoise. We look forward to bringing the streets of Portlaoise alive with the sound of Irish Music over the May bank holiday weekend and we hope you will join us.
Tutors:
Harp: Eimear Coughlan
Accordion: Paul Finn
Bodhrán: Colm Phelan
Whistle: Brian Hughes
Fiddle: Tara Breen

Oíche san Abbey - Raidió na Gaeltachta
2023-04-28 19:00 - 20:00 | Raidió na Gaeltachta
Beidh muid ag cur clabhsúr le ceiliúradh 50 bliain RnaG Dé hAoine le Oíche san Abbey, ceiliúradh Chúige Mumhan do #RnaG50 beo ó Abbey Hotel ó 7 pm. Cuirfidh Sláine Ní Chathalláin an oíche i láthair.

Beidh sé beo ar agus le feiceáil beo anseo

Ar stáitse:
Aoife agus Deirdre Granville, Cór Fear Na nDéise, Anne Mulqueen, Cór Ban Chúil Aodha, Cór Cúil Aodha, Seán Ó Sé, Máire Ní Chéileachair, Cárthach Ó Faoláin agus Macdara Ó Faoiláin, Diarmuid Ó Meachair agus a mhuintir, Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich agus a chairde, Mossie Ó Scanláin, Máire Breatnach agus a mac Ruairí, agus go leor eile.

Bígí Linn!

Music for Wexford present Liam Bates's World Premiere EARTHRISE
2023-04-30 15:00 - 17:30 | St. Iberius Church, Ferrybank South, Wexford
Join us at 3pm for a conversation with Liam Bates about the commissioning of this new work.
Musici Ireland return to Music for Wexford for the World Premiere performance EARTHRISE, a new concerto for viola (Beth McNinch)and chamber ensemble by Kilmore composer Liam Bates. Famed for his Christmas musical Noel, a collaboration with Eoin Colfer, and Heroes of the Helen Blake, this promises to be a thrilling new work.
Jessie Montgomery Strum
Mozart Flute Quartet in D
Ravel Introduction and Allegro
Glazanov Reverie Orientale
Liam Bates EARTHRISE : Soloist Beth McNinch WORLD PREMIERE

Leader: Ioana Petcu Colan ,
Lidia Jewloszewicz Clarke: Violin
Nick Rippon: Viola
Niamh Molloy: Cello
Dominic Dudley: Bass
Dianne Marshall: Harp
Meadbh O’Rourke: Flute
Conor Sheil: Clarinet
Hannah Miller: Horn
About Musici Ireland:
Formed in 2012, Musici Ireland have performed hundreds of concerts across Ireland and have been broadcast around the world.
Musici Ireland is rooted in creativity and exploration. We are a women led chamber ensemble who value deep audience connection and aim to create evocative wholesome performances in both traditional and explorative concert experiences. We offer education and artistic nourishment for our members and always stay curious about the industry we are in, the world and ways we can add our creative footprint. Our development as an ensemble has seen substantial growth over the past number of years. A significant jump in both numbers and creative output was seen during the World’s Global Pandemic, highlighting our determination, resilience and passion for what we do as an ensemble. We look forward to expanding our listenership abroad and developing lasting international connections.

Music at the Malthouse: The New England Irish Harp Orchestra
2023-05-05 19:00 - 20:00 | The Malthouse, Main Street, Stradbally, R32 HP98, Ireland
The New England Irish Harp | Orchestra Laois School of Music | Junior Youth Orchestra Music Generation Laois: Harp Orchestra | Junior Trad Group
A unique opportunity to hear the New England Harp Orchestra perform in Co. Laois, joined by ensembles from Laois School of Music and Music Generation Laois.

Baltimore Fiddle Fair: Aoife & Deirdre Granville
2023-05-06 12:30 - 13:30 | St. Matthew’s Church, Baltimore, Co. Cork, Ireland
Sisters Aoife and Deirdre Granville grew up in the town of Dingle, Co Kerry, where they learned much of their music.

Aoife is a flute player & fiddler as well as singer and currently works at the Folklore Department at UCC. She was appointed to the Arts Council in 2022 by Minister Martin and is currently recording her third solo album.
Deirdre is a harpist, flute player and singer and released her first solo album, Imram, a few years ago. She is a board member of Harp Ireland and a secondary school music teacher in Dingle. She was recently awarded an artistic residency at Centre Culturel Paris, where she will compose and perform in Summer 2023.
Aoife & Deirdre recently recorded duet tracks on Beauty an Oileáin, a collection of music and song from the Blasket Islands recorded by descendents of islanders. Both Aoife & Deirdre are in demand as tutors and performers at festivals at home and abroad.

Síle Denvir & Barry Kerr
2023-05-13 20:00 - 21:30 | Square @ The Irish Institute of Music & Song, Church Street, Balbriggan, Dublin, K32 YV56, Ireland
As part of the Dublin Fleadh, TG4 Amhránaí na Bliana 2023, Síle Denvir and current UCC Traditional Artist in Residence 2023, Barry Kerr will perform at the Irish Institute of Music and Song in Balbriggan on May 13th.
Making a compelling duet and creating music that communicates the beauty of a living tradition, Síle and Barry are celebrated as two of Ireland finest traditional musicians/singers. Their repertoire is a sympathetic merging of both traditional and original material, ranging from Síle’s ancient sean-nós songs to Barry’s self-composed modern folk tales. Their instrumental music on uilleann pipes, flute and harp is underpinned by subtle and inventive motif based arrangements. Originally from the sou
thern shores of Lough Neagh, multi-instrumentalist, composer, songwriter, and visual artist Barry is one of Ireland’s most accomplished artists. A master on both uilleann pipes and flute, his recent work has explored the concept of relating musical performance and composition with visual art. Barry was the recipient of the prestigious Liam O’ Flynn Award in 2020 and is currently the tradition musician in residence at UCC. Síle is a harpist and sean-nós singer who is deeply influenced by her upbringing in the Connemara Gaeltacht where she was surrounded by music and song from an early age. Síle was recently named Amhránaí na Bliana (singer of the year) in the prestigious TG4 Gradam Ceoil and her most recent album Anamnesis, a recording of sean-nós songs in collaboration with producer John Reynolds and cellist Caroline Dale, has just been released.

Trad @ Lunch - Elsa and Jos Kelly
2023-05-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Hawk’s Well Theatre, Temple Street, Sligo, F91 CFYZ, Ireland
Siblings from Sligo, Elsa and Jos come from an exceptionally musical family. Their music is influenced by a number of genres of music, but very important among them is the traditional music of county Sligo.
Elsa Kelly started playing traditional Irish music at the age of six and quickly progressed, winning numerous all-Ireland medals for harp, flute and group playing. She was a member of Spraoi which won the Siansa Gael Linn competition in 2009 and was also a member of Ceol na nÓg Sligeach. She has taught as senior harp teacher with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann Fred Finn Sligeach and teaches and performs regularly at festivals and concerts throughout Ireland and beyond.
Jos Kelly has often been descried as being at the cutting edge of new Irish traditional music. He plays the button accordion and keyboard and has developed an excellent reputation on the Irish music scene and would be known, in particular, as a founding member of Moxie with whom he has achieved many accolades and travelled the world.

Music For Wexford in association with Harp Ireland present The Emperor Trio
2023-05-28 15:30 - 17:00 | St. Iberius Church, Ferrybank South, Wexford
The Emperor Trio | St Iberius Church, Wexford
Sunday 28 May, 3.30pm
Join Music for Wexford in St Iberius Church to hear three of Ireland’s most respected harpists: Richard Allen, Aisling Ennis and Dianne Marshall who will perform together in a concert celebrating this stunning instrument. They will be joined by the Wexford Harp Ensemble | Cruitirí Loch Garman, with director Aileen Kennedy, as part of Music for Wexford’s side by side initiative, giving amateur musicians the opportunity to perform alongside professionals.

There will be the World Premiere of a Music for Wexford commissioned work for 3 harps by Dr Anne-Marie O’Farrell.
The concert will also include:
Debussy Claire de Lune
Ravel Mother Goose Suite
Brahms Intermezzo in A
Chertok Around the Clock
Salzedo Chanson dans la nuit
Tickets at www.eventbrite.ie

HARPS PLUS at St Nicholas Collegiate Church, Galway
2023-06-02 19:30 - 21:30 | St Nicholas Collegiate Church, Lombard St, Galway, Galway, H91 PY20, Ireland
HARPS PLUS | Siamsaíocht Clainne

Friday 2nd June
Saint Nicholas Collegiate Church, Galway at 7.30pm
Featuring Kathleen Loughnane, Catríona Cannon, Cormac Cannon, Breda Keville, Síle Denvir, Barry Kerr, Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta
Join Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland in celebrating harping at the heart of family music making. Listen to our rich harp music tradition, passed from generation to generation with Kathleen Loughnane, Catriona Cannon, piper Cormac Cannon and fiddle Player Breda Keville, alongside the magic of brother and sister duo, harper Séamus Ó Flatharta and his sister Caoimhe Ní Fhlatharta. In addition, we are delighted to welcome this year’s TG4 Amhránaí na Bliana, renowned seannós singer Sile Denvir in collaboration with her husband, Barry Kerr. Undoubtedly a unique celebration of the diversity of our harping tradition on Friday, 2nd June at 7.30pm in St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, Galway – Bígí Linn!
Bígí le Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland chun céiliúradh a dhéanamh ar cheol na cruite mar chroí na clainne. Éist le ceol á sheachadadh ó ghlúin go glúin le Kathleen Loughnane, Catriona Cannon, Cormac Cannon agus Breda Keville. Ina dteannta, beidh draíocht an cheoil ón chlann le Séamus agus Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta, agus cuirfear fáilte roimh buaiteoir Ghradam TG4, Amhránaí na Bliana, Síle Denvir i mbun ceoil lena fear chéile Barry Kerr. Oíche ar leith a bheas ann ar an 2ú Meitheamh, 7.30i.n in Eaglais Naomh Nioclás, Gaillimh – Bígí Linn!
Tickets €20 at www.eventbrite.ie

Galway Folk Festival - BRÍDÍN
2023-06-16 19:00 - 22:00 | Monroe’s Live, Galway, 14 Dominick Street, Upper, Galway, Ireland
Returning for it’s second edition, the festival
will take place from Tuesday June 13th to Sunday June 18th, showcasing the best of folk, roots, and
traditional music, from Ireland and beyond.
On Friday 16th June, The Whileaways, Niamh Regan and Irish harper BRÍDÍN will perform at Monroe’s Live.
Book tickets here: http://galwayfolkfestival.com/

Trad @ Lunch: Michael Rooney & June McCormack
2023-06-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Hawk’s Well Theatre, Temple Street, Sligo, F91 CFYZ, Ireland
This husband and wife duo, also known as ‘Draíocht’, have substantial musical credentials. They have already achieved great things individually, including major awards and two acclaimed recordings. They have toured extensively as Draíocht, having performed throughout the States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Together as Draíocht, Michael Rooney and June McCormack have recorded two CDs: ‘Draíocht’ and ‘Land’s End’. They have just finished recording their third studio album ‘Tobar an Cheoil’, June 2022.
June Mc Cormack comes from Ballintogher, Co Sligo and was recipient of the TG4 Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award in 1998. A primary school teacher by profession, June has published two Irish flute tutorials ‘Fliuit’, ‘Fliuit 2’ and most recently, ‘The Book of Sligo Tunes’.
Originally from Scotstown, Co. Monaghan and now resident in Sligo, Michael’s output as a composer is impressive and includes four publications of recent suites, as well as thirteen major suites for harp and ensemble or orchestra. Among the highlights of his recent orchestral and ensemble compositions are ‘The Ulster Suite (2022), Clairseoireacht (2022), ‘Constance’ (Feb 2020), The Famine Suite (2019), The De Cuellar Suite (2011), The Reconciliation Suite (2015) and The Macalla Suite (2016).

World Premiére of “For Three Lever Harps” by Sam Perkin at West Cork Chamber Music Festival
2023-06-25 14:00 - 17:00 | St Brendan’s Hall, Bantry, St Brendan's School, Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland
New Work for Irish Harp Ensemble at West Cork Chamber Music Festival
A new work for three harps by Sam Perkin will be premiered at the 2023 West Cork Chamber Music Festival on Sunday, June 25th .
For Three Lever Harps was commissioned by the Cork ETB School of Music in 2019. However, the
COVID 19 pandemic intervened, and it is only now that the work is receiving its first performance.
Writing about the Commission Sam Perkin says: –
“For Three Lever Harps is about the beauty that spontaneously comes into being when we step back,
embracing the waiting, and watch the wonder of life unfold. The exploration of awe has now become
a central aspect of my artistic output. As an artist I seek to explore the purity of childlike wonder.
This is something we often lose contact with as we age, and which gets replaced by apathy and void.
It can be scary to fully accept being alive, though if we manage to get out of our own way and let life
emerge, we can authentically participate in its gift with humility”.
Composed especially for the CETB’s harp teacher Damhnait Nic Suibhne and her students, this work
is scored for three lever harps but allows for individual parts to be doubled freely at the discretion
of, and relative to the availability of, the performers.

In his performance notes Sam Perkin says “In the piece we hear waves of staccato chords which
overlap and echo between the three parts. The regular silences enhance the atmosphere, which is
intended to sound as neutral as possible. Gradually a new pattern emerges, leading us to hear what
we first heard in a new way. The three harps finally synchronise for the first time near the end of the
work, leading to a delicate fading out of the music”.
Carol Daly, Principal of Cork ETB School of Music is very pleased that this creative piece will be
played for the first time as part of the ETB School of Music’s ‘Young Ensembles’ concert at the West
Cork Chamber Music Festival. “We are really looking forward to hearing Sam Perkin’s wonderful
composition which we commissioned to demonstrate our commitment to and pride in harping in our
school and we are delighted that these fine harpers, will perform at the World Premiere. We are also
very grateful to West Cork Music for the opportunity”.

To a Child Dancing in the Wind
2023-06-30 20:00 - 21:00 | An Táin Arts Centre, Crowne St, Townparks, Dundalk, Ireland
Trio Táin presents an intimate classical music performance featuring the song cycle To a Child Dancing In the Wind by John Tavener for flute, viola, harp, and soprano, and Good Night by Henryk Górecki arranged for flute, harp, and soprano.

To a Child Dancing In the Wind represents a rare departure from John Tavener’s choral, liturgical works which formed the bulk of his prolific output. In Tavener’s own words; “The frailty, tenderness, and spiritual transparency of Yeats’ poetry inspired him to compose it”.
In Gorecki’s raw sounds, there is a life that slowly fades away with each subsequent step and each subsequent breath. The title Goodnight touches us with its fragility, but it does not deprive us of hope.
Trio Táin is a new trio consisting of harpist Aisling Ennis with flautist Vourneen Ryan and violist Robin Panter. They are proud to collaborate with soprano, Catherine Redding to realise this exquisite programme.

Belfast TradFest
2023-07-23 - 2023-07-30 | Belfast
Belfast TradFest & Summer School of Traditional Music

• 5 days of masterclasses – Harp tutors include Laoise Kelly, Aisling Lyons and Lauren Ní Néill
• Concerts, including Féile Cruitirí Bhéal Feirste – Belfast Harp Festival
• Afternoon talks, lectures, discussions, taster sessions, film screenings
• Over 40 sessions
Cost £129

Accomodation – 7 nights
• Self Catering
• 200 yards from masterclasses
• Free wifi
• Ensuite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin
• Onsite laundry facilities
Cost £299

For more information visit;

http:///www.belfasttradfest.com

Cruitirí ar Chnoic
2023-08-02 - 2023-08-04 | Inishowen, Co Donegal
More information to come…

Harps for Heritage 2023 | Muckross Schoolhouse
2023-08-20 15:30 - 17:00 | Muckross Schoolhouse, Muckross Schoolhouse, The National Park, Dromyrourk, Killarney, Co. Kerry
Harp Ireland presents HARPS FOR HERITAGE 2023 at The Schoolhouse, Muckross House, Gardens and Traditional Farms, Killarney on Sunday 20th August, at 3:30pm.
Featuring Paul Dooley (Early Irish Harp), Kseniya Rusnak (Bandura) • Aisling Urwin & Niamh O’Brien (Irish Harps). Special guests Siamsa Tíre National Folk Theatre.
Admission FREE. Bígí Linn!
Register at eventbrite.ie

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | BELFAST | Harps Together Concert
2023-09-30 17:30 - 19:30 | First Presbyterian Church 41 Rosemary Street Belfast BT1 1QB
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | Harps Together Concert
First Presbyterian Church, 41 Rosemary Street
30th September 5.30pm
£12 | https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harps-together-tickets-722202375747?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Harps Alive | An Chruit Bheo | Harps Leevin festival showing the exciting trajectory of harping at the present time. Éibhlís Ní Ríordáin showcases music from the Bunting Collection on early Irish harp, the Northern Stars Trio, Adam O’Neill, Gráinne Meyer and Ciara Taaffe platform new arrangements for Irish harp in a contemporary way. The TU Dublin Harp Ensemble join forces with The Antrim-based Elver Harp Ensemble in the premiere of a Cruit Éireann| Harp Ireland commissioned arrangement by harper-composer Gráinne Meyer for the inaugural performance of The Harps Alive Ensemble. TG4 Musician of the Year 2020, harper Laoise Kelly and uilleann piper, Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn showcase music for harp and pipes. Not to be missed!

Harps at the LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire
2023-10-21 11:00 - 12:00 | dlr LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Harps at the LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire
11am, Saturday 21st October 2023
Join Conor O’Brien, Thuan Leavy and Grace Galligan as they perform in the iconic surroundings of the DLR LexIcon to celebrate Lá na Cruite | Harp Day 2023
LexIcon, Dun Laoghaire Library and Cultural Centre, Haigh Terrace, Moran Park, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin A96 H283

Harps in Harmony | Dundalk
2023-10-21 19:30 - 21:30 | st Nicholas Church of Ireland Dundalk, Church St, Dundalk, A91 AT18
Harps in Harmony
St Nicholas’ Church of Ireland, Dundalk
Saturday 21 October, 7.30pm
Featuring Alfi, Nós Nua Youth Folk Orchestra and the Music Generation Louth Harp Ensembles.
Tickets €10 (€5 concessions) or €20 Family ticket at www.eventbrite.ie

Harps Together: CÉHI Gala Concert | Pepper Canister Church
2023-10-22 18:30 - 20:30 | Pepper Canister Church, Mount St Crescent, Dublin 2, D02 HC65, Ireland
Harps Together: CÉHI Gala Concert
Pepper Canister Church
Sunday 22nd October, 6.30pm
Tickets €15 at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/722095235287?aff=oddtdtcreator
Join us at Harps Alive | An Chruit Bheo | Harps Leevin for the final gala concert of the festival, featuring an array of harpers and the Dublin premiere of the Harps Alive Ensemble. Siobhán Armstrong showcases the music of the early Irish harp, harpist Maria McNamee performs music for pedal harp and Aosdána poet Moya Cannon recites a newly commissioned poem in memory of Edward Bunting with harper Aisling Lyons recreating the ancient tradition of harper and reacaire (reciter). Enjoy the enchanting sounds of renowned harper Triona Marshall with well-known accordionist and composer, Martin Tourish.

Ceol Cruite Na Nollag | Christmas Music on Harps | Killarney Library
2023-12-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Killarney Library, Rock Road, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Killarney, V93 YE35, Ireland
Ceol Cruite Na Nollag | Christmas Music on Harps
Killarney Library, Co. Kerry
Thursday 7th December at 7pm.
Featuring Deirdre Granville, Cáit Ní Rinn, Reidun Schlesinger, Marina Blythe, Sr Colette, Margaret Looney and Máire Begley.
Fáilte roimh chách. Adm Free.

The Sugar Club Harp Sessions | Brídín
2024-01-11 19:30 - 21:30 | The Sugar Club, 8 Leeson Street Lower, Dublin, D02 ET97, Ireland
Thursday 11th January, 7.30pm
The Sugar Club, Dublin
Tickets available here
Experience a new ‘take’ on Irish harping from some of our foremost young harpers. Cruit Éireann|Harp Ireland’s Sugar Club Harp Sessions run throughout 2024 and feature innovative, cutting-edge Irish harp performances from a variety of players, pushing the boundaries of the tradition in new and exciting ways.
First up on Thursday January 11th is BRÍDÍN, a contemporary folk harper, singer and composer from Sligo, who has developed a unique style influenced by her natural surroundings and rooted in a traditional music background.
BRIDÍN combines her loop and effect pedals with layered melodies on harp and voice together with fiddle, keyboard, electric guitar, bass and pulsating drums. A frequent performer at TradFest, BRÍDÍN has been nominated for the RTÉ Folk Awards, and has over the years performed on The Late Late Show, Ireland AM and The Tommy Tiernan Show.
“Absolutely amazing performer! Great music, so breathtaking when live, she is one of a kind”
“And if you want to hear a fine example of the harp in the contemporary folk music of Ireland, then listen to Ocean of Stars, the new EP by Brídín.” Richard Hillingum, Folk Radio
Sligo-native BRÍDÍN carries the tradition of Irish music into the fourth generation of her family – playing harp, flute, piano and dancing sean nós. After achieving a master’s degree in music, she’s continued to develop her own unique style, bringing a modern energy to her traditional influences. She released her Ocean Of Stars EP in 2021, which featured contributions from Colm Mac Con Iomaire and Clare Sands.
Her music lies in the indistinct place between traditional and contemporary. She proves her ability to sway between both worlds and play to her strengths in each.
“I feel a strong pull to nature and my beautiful surroundings in Sligo when I’m composing my pieces. I’m fascinated by the beginning and ending of life and the constant movement of nature. That’s where I draw most of my inspiration from,” she says.

Manchester Harp Festival
2024-01-19 - 2024-01-20 | Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
Anne-Marie O’Farrell is set to perform at the inaugural Manchester harp festival later this month. Good luck from everyone at Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland!

FRIDAY 19 JANUARY
1.30pm: Free lunchtime harp recital from Students of Chetham’s School of Music
7.30pm: Opening Night Recital with Louise Thomson, Marie Leenhardt, Anne Marie O’Farrell and Esther Swift.

SATURDAY 20 JANUARY
9am onward: Live finals of the Manchester Harp Competition
2.30 – 3.30pm: Demonstrations of Harp•E, super sleek electro-acoustic instruments, which won the Red Dot Design Award and are sold by SALVI Harps. They are played by both classical and experimental musicians on the world’s biggest stages.
7.30pm: Headlining performance by Anneleen Lenaerts
The festival is generously sponsored by Salvi Music, London, who will be exhibiting their beautiful collection of both Salvi and Lyon & Healy harps for you to try out throughout the day.

Lisa Canny on Tour
2024-01-24 08:00 - 23:30
Tickets Available: https://www.lisacanny.com/tour

Michelle Mulcahy - Tradfest 2024
2024-01-26 16:30 - 19:00 | Malahide Castle, Back Road, Malahide Demesne, Malahide, Co. Dublin, K36 YP65, Ireland
Michelle Mulcahy has redefined the contemporary harp landscape with remarkable musicianship. With accolades like TG4 Young Musician of the Year (2006) and Female Musician of the Year, her solo album “Suaimhneas” gained international recognition. Collaborating with American label Shanachieand Irish label Cló-Iar Chonnacht, Michelle’s albums are celebrated. In 2017, her album with collaborators Louise and Mick Mulcahy, “The Reel Note” earned TradConnects Traditional Album of the Year. In 2023, Michelle, Mick, and Louise received the TG4 Gradam Ceoil award for their contribution to Irish traditional music. A scholar with a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology, her 2023 solo harp release “Lady on the Island” is hailed ‘as one of the most important recordings in recent Irish music history’ (Siobhan Long, Irish Times).
This concert will take place in the Project Room in Malahide Castle’s Visitor Centre. With the beautiful Walled Garden as a backdrop, the Project Room is a stunning location to see one of Irelands’ finest traditional musicians.
Tickets Available here.

Alannah Thornburgh - Tradfest 2024
2024-01-26 18:30 - 20:30 | Castle Hall at Dublin Castle, Dame Street, Dublin 2, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Alannah Thornburgh is an award-winning instrumentalist and composer from the wild west of Ireland, with a focus on traditional Irish harp. Alannah’s music explores her family heritage, reimagining ancient airs and tunes from the Irish harping, American Appalachian, and jazz traditions. This cross-genre interaction and juxtaposition of old melodies with contemporary harmonies and techniques are interwoven throughout her music, described as ‘unforced, fluid, and utterly at home in her own sound’ (The Irish Times).
Alannah’s debut solo single ‘The Front,’ a homage to the late minimalist composer Conor Walsh, was premiered on Seattle’s KEXP to great critical acclaim. She was nominated for two awards at the 2022 and 2021 RTÉ Folk Awards: Best Emerging Artist and Best Folk Instrumentalist. Alannah featured in an RTÉ 1 documentary ‘A Note for Nature’ in collaboration with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Alannah is also a recipient of the Arts Council’s Next Generation Award 21/22. She is a founding member of Alfi, a trio that combines traditional Irish and Appalachian music and song, and they were winners of the 2020 US Embassy Creative Minds Award. Alannah will release both her debut solo album and an album with Alfi in 2023. She has recorded, performed, and collaborated with Anna Mieke, Brían Mac Gloinn (Ye Vagabonds), Lemoncello, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Brigid Mae Power, David Keenan, Tristan Scroggins, Conor Caldwell, Gareth Quinn Redmond, and Varo.

Album Launch: Cuimhní Rúnda
2024-01-26 20:00 | Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Cove Hill, Port Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, F92 C8HD, Ireland
Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh is a singer and musician from Dungiven who inherited a wealth of traditional and folk music from her parents, well-known folk singers, Anne and Francie Brolly. Classically trained, Nodlaig has toured the world performing with leading musicians such as Phil Coulter and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Nodlaig is joined by musicians from across the North West of Ireland.
‘Cuimhní Rúnda’ is Nodlaig’s second solo album and is a journey through the times and places that have inspired her music over the last 20 years.
From the memories hidden in the depths of the Swilly to the strains of the ancient harp in the Roe Valley that echo in Gaelic Scotland, to the emigrants leaving their mark at the top of the Carn, to the artistic reimaging of Narnia at CS Lewis Square.
This compilation of original works hopes to enhance our understanding of place and heritage and entice the visitor to experience first-hand these places of scenic beauty, mystery and lore.

Friday 26th January, 8pm
Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny
Tickets available here , €18 (€15 Early Bird Price)

Oisín Morrison - Tradfest 2024
2024-01-27 12:30 - 13:00 | National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin, D07 XKV4, Ireland
Oisín Morrison, originally from Dublin but now living in Cork, is a talented harper, flute player, piano player, and composer. He has an extensive background in teaching and performing at festivals both in Ireland and abroad, with numerous appearances on television and radio. Oisín has been recognized with various awards, including the prestigious Bonn Óir Sheáin Uí Riada, the Oireachtas, and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Recently, he was honored with the 2020 Visionary scheme by Trad Ireland. During his time as a UCD Ad Astra Performing Arts scholar, he completed his Masters in Irish literature, specializing in the music and song of Turlough O’Carolan. Notable works include the composition of the ‘Clann Lir’ suite in 2016 and his appointment as composer in residence with Cork’s youth group, Ensemble Mhúscraí, where he crafted a suite of music inspired by the poetry of Seán Ó Ríordáin in 2020.

Tickets available here.
