Concert to celebrate National Harp Day
TO CELEBRATE the first ever National Harp Day on Saturday, November 11, Comhaltas Bhré Harp Ensemble will host a free concert at The Well Church, Bray at 7 p.m. under Ensemble Leader and Harp Teacher Rachel Duffy.
Celebrating over a 1,000 years of traditional harp playing in Ireland, everyone is invited to attend the concert which will be on until 8.15 p.m.
Bray has a vibrant harp community with many teachers and students based in the town. At least 12 harpists will come together to celebrate and promote National Harp Day, with students from aged 11 to 19 playing different styles of harp music from traditional to classical to modern.
The Irish Harp is the official emblem of Ireland and the harp has been associated with Ireland for over 1,000 years. Used exten- sively in official and commercial instances, a representation of the traditional harp is found on the Presidential Seal, passports, the flag of Leinster (but not the national flag) on Irish Euro coins and used to promote the Irish connections of many organisations and businesses.
The Harp Ensemble will also take part in the Harp Day Marathon in the Lexicon Library, Dun Laoghaire at midday.
A free uillean pipe concert will also take place on Saturday. November 11, at Bray Library at 5 p.m.
This is to celebrate International Pipes Day, which took place on November 4. Local teacher and composer Tim Doyle will lead this concert.