Malachy Arnold

What is your name / where are you from?
My name is Malachy Arnold and I’m from Glasgow, Scotland.

How did you start playing the harp?
From an early age, I had been heavily influenced by my Aunty and fellow Harper, Laoise Kelly who had inspired me to pick up a harp at the age of 5. I was soon taught by Breton harper Tristan LeGovic, who brought me into the Scottish Clarsach scene within a couple of years. As I grew and improved, I decided to join my local Comhaltas – St Roch’s Irish Minstrels CCE, which lead to me gaining the perfect balance of Irish and Scottish repertoire. By my teens I was massively enjoying music and knew I wanted to pursue the harp as a career. 

What does the harp mean to you?
It means everything to me, and I plan for that to never change. My passion for the instrument continues to grow as I meet new people, interpret new styles and develop my own playing/music. 

What do you like most about Lá na Cruite | Harp Day?
What I like most about Lá na Cruite is the feeling of inclusiveness and togetherness. It’s incredible to see so many harp players from all over the globe come together to present their own styles, tunes and talents. I also love hearing a continuous flow of tunes on the harp.