World Premiére of “For Three Lever Harps” by Sam Perkin at West Cork Chamber Music Festival
2023-06-25 14:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Dublin) | 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
