International harp festival explores music of Carolan

The 33rd International Festival of Irish Harp this week plays host to the largest gathering of harpers to date as An Chúirt Chruitireachta’s residential harp festival takes place in  An Grianán, in Termonfeckin, Co Louth, 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 33-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. 
A truly  historic spectacle will be Harp Ensemble Day, where as many as 150 young harpers  from all over Ireland join festival participants to perform a reimagining of Carolan’s music, led by acclaimed harper Triona Marshall and accordionist and composer, Martin Tourish of Altan. 
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.    Our collaborative approach has allowed us grow participation organically and move the harp on from the perception of stylised drawing room performance  into mainstream  traditional music practice, and importantly, encourage young people to make it their own.’  

Highlights of this year’s festival will include:

'Chasing the Breeze' Tuesday 8pm July 3 An Grianán 
Join Helen Davies (harp) and Poul Høxbro (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' 8pm 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. 

Admission  €20, Concessions €15, Students and children €10
Booking 01 6768998 or www.eventbrite.ie/Irishharpfestival

Harp Stars at the Tholsel, Drogheda. Lunchtime pop-up series at 1pm.
Monday July 2nd: Louth Music Generation Harp Ensemble
Tuesday July 3rd: Oisín Morrison and friends
Thursday July 5th: DIT Harp Ensemble
Admission Free
Further information and booking at www.cairdenacruite.com/festival