To a Child Dancing in the Wind
2023-06-30 20:00 - 21:00 (Europe/Dublin) | 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.

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”.

An Chúirt Chruitireachta | International Festival for Irish Harp
2023-06-25 08:00 - 2023-06-30 17:00 | An Grianán, Termonfechin, Louth
International Festival for Irish Harp 2023 | An Chúirt Chruitireachta
Sunday 25th June – Friday 30th June 2023
An Grianán, Termonfechin, Co. Louth
This year’s festival tutors will include Máire Ní Chathasaigh, Gráinne Hambly, Rachel Hair and Úna Ní Fhlannagáin.
Full programme details on https://www.cairdenacruite.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).

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/

Irish-American Music Cultures Symposium
2023-06-08 | TU DUBLIN, Grangegorman, Dublin 7, Dublin, D07 H6K8, Ireland
TU Dublin Conservatoire in association with the ITMA, and the Princess Grace Irish Library are honoured to host the Irish-American Music Cultures Symposium on June 8th, 2023 at the TU Dublin Conservatoire.

Inspired by the Princess Grace Irish-American Song Sheet Collection, this symposium seeks to explore the dynamic interaction of Irish-American music making. It takes an expansive view of transatlantic music making, with a focus on song and instrumental music. The symposium is convened by Dr Helen Lawlor (TU Dublin Conservatoire). It is funded by an IRC New Foundations Award and supported by the ITMA, the SMI and TU Dublin.

The keynote address ‘Irish Traditional Music in America and the Legacy of Mick Moloney’ will be delivered by Don Meade & Dan Neely.

The symposium will also feature two concerts:

Fintan Vallely, Maighread & Tríona Ní Dhomnaill; Dubh Linn (Lunch time concert)
Una Hunt and Heather Sammon (evening concert).

Registration is free, however we ask all attendees to register in advance to facilitate catering arrangements: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/irish-american-music-cultures-symposium-tickets-633530866877

Irish-American Music Cultures Symposium
Timetable:
9.00-9.30
Registration
9.30-10.00
Scott Spencer (University of Southern California): Collections, Archives and Digital Humanities: Making Irish-American Heritage Accessible
10.00-10.30
Colin Harte (City University of New York): Teaching the Tunes: Understanding the Role of Irish Traditional Music in Higher Education in North America
10.45-11.30
Welcome SMI and PGIL: Helen Lawlor (TU Dublin) & Liam O’Connor (ITMA), Paula Farquharson, (PGIL) John O’Flynn (SMI) and Paul McNulty (TU Dublin)
11.30-12.00 Tea & Coffee
Session 1: 12.00-1.30 Session 1a
Axel Klein (Independent Scholar): Ireland on Broadway
Maria McHale (TU Dublin Conservatoire): ‘Two famous operas’: Irish opera and America
Liam O’Connor (Irish Traditional Music Archive): TBC
LUNCH
2.15-3.00
Concert: Fintan Vallely, Tríona Ní Domhnaill, Maighread Ní Domhnaill, Dubh Linn
3.00-4.00
Keynote Address | Don Meade & Dan Neely: Irish Traditional Music in America and the Legacy of Mick Moloney
4.00-4.30 Tea & Coffee
Session 2: 4.30-6.00 Session 2a:
Fintan Vallely (Independent Scholar): Interpreting the Princess Grace Song-Sheet Collection
Helen Lawlor (TU Dublin Conservatoire): Harp Imagery and Symbolism in the Princess Grace Song-Sheet Collection
Aileen Dillane (University of Limerick): Irish American Musical Imaginaries
Closing comments
6.30-7.15
Concert: Una Hunt & Heather Sammon: The Irish American
7.15- Reception

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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
