WhiteLight Consulting are proud to, once again, provide PR services to Cairde na Cruite for the 2015 Irish Harp Festival. This incredible celebration of the Irish Harp has been running for 30 years and brings together wonderful musicians from all over the country and all over the world.
Playing the Irish Harp may well be one of Ireland’s most enduring traditions. But An Chúirt Chruitireachta, the Irish Harp Festival, is quickly becoming an enduring tradition in its own right. The Festival, running from Sunday 28th June to Friday 3rd July, celebrates its 30th year this month and the festival programme is stronger than ever.
An Grianán, headquarters of the ICA in Termonfeckin, Co. Louth, has played host to the Festival since 1985. Harpists from all over Ireland and the world flock to Termonfeckin for the week long programme of workshops, lessons and concerts.
The Festival is open to all and the public are always welcome to come along. Festival Director Áine Ní Dhubhghaill explains “The Harp is our national instrument and we invite people to come along and experience it in person. One of our favourite parts of the week is the “hands on harp session” where visiting children and adults are given an introductory lesson in how to play. It is wonderful to see, youngsters in particular, experiencing the instrument for the first time.”
By day An Grianán buzzes with young harpists enjoying masterclasses with leading harpists. Each evening, the intimate concert hall is filled with the refrains of harpists performing both traditional and contemporary concerts. Highlights of the 2015 programme include a collaboration between Irish and Columbian musicians.
Áine continues “We have always sought to include international musicians, who add to the depth and breadth of our musical programme. Last year’s collaboration was with acclaimed Scandinavian Artists. This year we’ve gone a little further afield and invited performers from Columbia to join the Festival and we are very excited about their contribution to the Festival line-up. Jesuit missionaries introduced the harp to Latin America in the early 17th century and over the centuries Colombian harpists have developed their own traditions and unique styles which will add a rich diversity to this year’s festival.”
Perhaps one of the musical highlights of this year’s Festival will be Thursday night’s Gala Concert with Máire Ní Chathasaigh, one of Ireland’s foremost harpists. Áine concluded “Máire’s concert will be the finale performance of the week and will be all the more special because she has performed at every single Harp Festival since it began in 1985. Her Heartstrings Quartet concert featuring her husband Chris Newman, her sister Nollaig Casey and Arty McGlynn promises to be an amazing musical experience.”
Click here to visit www.HarpFestival.ie and to see the full programme.
The Irish Harp Festival is proudly supported by:
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