Festival of the Harp week at An Grianan

FROM Sunday 1st to Friday 6th July, the 33rd International Festival of Irish Harp, which is funded by the Arts Council, plays host to the largest gathering of harpers to date. Harpers from all over the world come together at the Festival, a highlight in the Irish harp’s calendar and an important feature of County Louth’s Creative Ireland programme, to celebrate our national instrument.

This year, once again, An Chúirt Chruitireachta’s residential harp festival takes place in the beautiful surroundings of An Grianán, in Termonfeckin, with concerts at three different venues throughout the week.

Festival 2018 explores and interprets the music of Turlough Carolan, the renowned harper composer who died in 1738. Workshops and concerts, featuring acclaimed Irish harpers, experimenting and collaborating with other artists, reimagines Carolan’s repertoire in song and story and encourages innovative arrangements for the harp, as well as introducing a new generation of Irish harpers to his music.

Over its thirty three year history, An Chúirt Chruitireachta has successfully integrated the Irish harp into the broader traditional music landscape. It has also played a major part in leading the huge upsurge of interest in the harp in Ireland today; ably assisted by the Music Generation Music Education programmes, which currently provide support and tuition to more than 200 young harpers nation-wide. Experienced Harp teachers and practitioners estimate the number of harpers in Ireland today to be at circa 2,000; double what it was in 2001.

Festival director, Aibhlin McCrann says ‘What makes our festival different is the bringing together of distinguished harp-players, who share their passion for the ancient harpers’ repertoire and all aspects of harp playing with harpers from Ireland and further afield.’

Highlights of this year’s include:

Fáilte Isteach: Sunday 8pm July 1, Beaulieu House, Drogheda. Festival Welcome featuring Sylvia Crawford, Gráinne Hambly, and William Jackson as they explore music of the harpers.

Revisiting Carolan Monday 8pm July 2 An Grianán: Harpers Laoise Kelly, Kathleen Loughnane, Cormac de Barra, Anne Marie O Farrell and seannós singer Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich present an extravaganza of Carolan’s music. festival will

Chasing the Breeze Tuesday 8pm July 3 An Grianán. Join Helen Davies (harp) and Poul Hxbro (flutes and percussion) on their journey in music and stories from Scandinavia to Ireland, with songs from Gerry Cullen and the Drogheda singers.

Taking the Tune: Young Hands on Harp 8 pm Wednesday July 4th An Grianán . Harper Triona Marshall and Martin Tourish take the tune and reimagine Carolan, the last of the Irish Harpers, in concert with Music Generation harp ensembles and other harpers from all over Ireland.

Réalta Ceoil: Festival Farewell 8pm Thursday July 5th An Grianán. Gala Concert: Festival farewell with our stellar line up starring singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Síle Denvir, harp, Pádraig Rynne, concertina and Donal O’Connor, fiddle.

Rising Harp Stars at The Tholsel, Drogheda; a series of three lunchtime concerts, features Louth Music Generation Harp Ensemble, as well as Oisín Morrison and friends, and members of the DIT Harp Ensemble. Admission is free to the lunchtime concerts.

Booking at www.eventbrite.ie or info@ cairdenacruite.com http://www.cairdenacruite.com/festival.