Harps Alive | An Chruit Bheo | Harps Leevin 2023
Harps Alive Festival 2023
An all-island celebration of Irish harping
Some 231 years on, harp music resounds…..Harpers and historians join forces in Belfast and Dublin to celebrate the Irish harping tradition.
Now in its second year Harps Alive (Harps Alive│An Chruit Bheo│Harps Leevin) is a cross border collaborative festival, which brings together the finest harpers from across the island to celebrate the significance of the landmark event of the Belfast Harp Festival 1792. An event, that through the work of Armagh-born Edward Bunting, resulted in the collection of the music and techniques of the Irish harping tradition; a collection which is central to the continuity of the Irish harping tradition today.
Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland, working in partnership with Reclaim the Enlightenment, present the Harps Alive | An Chruit Bheo | Harps Leevin festival in Belfast, on September 30th and in Dublin on October 21st – 22nd, 2023.
The festival will bring together harpers from all over Ireland to assess Edward Bunting’s legacy, showcase the harpers’ music, and bring a contemporary spotlight to bear on current developments to safeguard harping as a living tradition in Ireland.
A dynamic series of cross-community and cross-border events featuring two major concerts, a series of recitals, talks and workshops remembering the contribution of Edward Bunting 180 years after his death, is planned in the two cities.
Festival Events – Belfast
All event tickets available at www.eventbrite.ie
Try Your Hand at the Early Irish Harp with Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin
First Presbyterian Church, 41 Rosemary Street
Free | 11am, Saturday 30th September
Level: No harp experience required
Would you like to learn more about, and even get your hands on a copy of an ancient Irish harp – and be taught a tune? Meet the Historical Harp Society of Ireland, hear this rare instrument played, have your questions answered, and – if you sign up early enough – take one of the few places in a hands-on beginners’ workshop. Harps copied from medieval to 18th-century originals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Irish Harp Workshop with Gráinne Hambly:
Shankill Road Library
Free | 11am, Saturday 30th September
Level: Intermediate
Internationally acclaimed harper Gráinne Hambly invites you to a workshop at Shankill Road Library in Belfast. Come along and take part – there will be something in it for everybody. Hear and learn the best of harpers’ music from one of our most renowned harpers.
A Masterclass with Richard Allen:
St Joseph’s Sailortown
Free | 11am, Saturday 30th September
Level: Intermediate
Join one of Ireland’s leading exponents of pedal harp practice, Richard Allen, as he guides you through its repertoire. Why not perform a solo piece, and spend time with him working through the music? Or sit back, relax and have a listen? Everyone welcome!
Film Screening: Beart Bunting
Linenhall Library
Saturday 30 September, 11.45-12.45pm
Free admission
Beart Bunting, directed by Deaglán Ó Mochain. Six of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians join with Strabane Brass Band to explore and perform a neglected part of the Edward Bunting collection – a manuscript of mainly military music such as regimental marches, retreats and quick-steps collected alongside traditional Irish airs and tunes – reflecting the turbulent political reality of Ireland before and after the 1798 rebellion.
Scéalta agus Cruitireacht le Úna Ní Fhlannagáin
An Cultúrlann
Saor in Aisce | 1-2pm, Saturday 30th September
Bígí le hÚna Ní Fhlannagáin agus í ar aistear draíochtúil. Éist le ceol na cruite in éineacht le scéalta móra na hÉireann – smaoinigh ar na sióga, taoisigh agus finscéalta fadó, fadó….
Ceardlann spraoi do theaghlaigh agus do pháistí.
Harping Fun with Sharon Carroll
Turas
Saturday 30 September, 1-2pm
Free Admission
Harper Sharon Carroll delves into the magic of Irish legend and invites children to come along to be spellbound by enchanting harp sounds and intriguing stories. This is an hour out for all the family. You might even have a chance to try out a harp for yourself!
Edward Bunting: Illuminating his legacy
Linenhall Library
Free | 1-2pm, Saturday 30th September
Dr Mary Louise O‘Donnell sets the scene for musical life in Dublin and the role that Edward Bunting played in it between 1818-43. Living in Dublin’s Baggot St, he held posts as organist at St Stephen’s Church/The Pepper Canister in Mount St Crescent and, later at St George’s in Hardwicke Place. He was also involved in the Dublin Harmonic Institution, all the time working and advocating for his harpers’ music to be published. Mary will be joined by her sister, harper Teresa O’Donnell for this fascinating illustrated lecture.
Citizens’ Manifestation
The Assembly Rooms
Free | 2.30-3.30pm, Saturday 30th September
The Assembly Rooms at the junction of North Street and Waring Street is the oldest public building in Belfast, dating back to 1769. It was here that the celebrated Assembly of Harpers took place in 1792. It lay at the centre of eighteenth century social life. It was here that the Belfast Harbour Commissioners were established, and here that Belfast’s citizens rejected a proposal to set up a slave trading company. United Irish leader, Henry Joy McCracken was court-martialled here, prior to his execution in 1798.
Harps Together
First Presbyterian Church, 41 Rosemary St.
Saturday 30th September, 5.30pm
Adm. £12 | Book on Eventbrite
Join us for the Belfast finale concert of the Harps Alive | An Chruit Bheo | Harps Leevin festival showing the exciting trajectory of harping at the present time. Eibhlís 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!
Harping Late
The Deer’s Head
Free | 8pm, Saturday 30th September
Wind down after a jam-packed day of harping for some refreshments and relaxed chat amongst new friends. Some familiar harping faces will help you along the way!
Festival Events – Dublin
All event tickets available at www.eventbrite.ie
Harping Fun with Aisling Ennis
Saturday 21st October, 1-2pm | Free adm.
Harper Aisling Ennis delves into the magic of Irish legends and the Wicklow fairy tradition, and invites children to come along to be spellbound by enchanting harp sounds and intriguing stories. This is an hour out for all the family. You might even have a chance to try out a harp for yourself!
Edward Bunting: Illuminating his Legacy
National Library of Ireland
Saturday 21st October, 2.00 – 3.00pm | Free adm.
Belfast historian Mark Doherty speaks about the life and work of Edward Bunting. Mark reveals Bunting’s connections to Belfast and Dublin, and how he spent his life preserving the music of the harpers.
Film Screening: Beart Bunting
National Library of Ireland
Saturday 21st October, 3.00pm | Free adm.
Beart Bunting, directed by Deaglán Ó Mochain. Six of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians join with Strabane Brass Band to explore and perform a neglected part of the Edward Bunting collection – a manuscript of mainly military music such as regimental marches, retreats and quick-steps collected alongside traditional Irish airs and tunes – reflecting the turbulent political reality of Ireland before and after the 1798 rebellion.
Try Your Hand at the Early Irish Harp | The Royal Irish Academy of Music
Sunday 22nd October, 10am | Free adm.
Level: No harp experience required
Would you like to learn more about, and even get your hands on a copy of an ancient Irish harp – and be taught a tune? Meet the Historical Harp Society of Ireland, hear this rare instrument played, have your questions answered, and – if you sign up early enough – take one of the few places in a hands-on beginners’ workshop. Listen to early Irish harp music with Siobhán Armstrong, find out more about its fascinating history at a 45-minute illustrated talk with Simon Chadwick, and join a 75-minute, hands-on workshop for beginners with Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin. Harps copied from medieval to 18th-century originals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Remembering Edward Bunting | Mount Jerome Cemetery
Sunday 22nd October, 11am – 12pm | Free adm.
Join us at Edward Bunting’s newly restored grave in Mount Jerome, where Aosdána poet Moya Cannon performs a newly commissioned poem celebrating the legacy of Edward Bunting and is joined by harper Aisling Lyons to recreate the ancient tradition of reacaire (reciter) and harper.
A Masterclass with Richard Allen | The Royal Irish Academy of Music
Sunday 22nd October, 11am | Free adm.
Level: Intermediate
Join one of Ireland’s leading exponents of pedal harp practice, Richard Allen, as he guides you through repertoire for pedal harp. Why not perform a solo piece, and spend time with Richard working through the music? Or sit back and have a listen? Everyone welcome!
Irish Harp Workshop with Aisling Lyons | The Royal Irish Academy of Music
Sunday 22nd October, 1.30-3.30pm | Free adm.
Level: Intermediate
Dynamic harper Aisling Lyons invites you to a workshop at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. No matter what your standard, come along and take part. There will be something in it for everybody. Hear and learn the best of harpers’ music from one of our most renowned harpers.
Harps Together: CÉHI Gala Concert | Pepper Canister Church
Sunday 22nd October, 6.30pm
Tickets €15 at www.eventbrite.ie
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.
