Music Generation Laois and Louth Harp Ensembles to perform at International Harp Festival this June

The best of Irish harping will be platformed in Termonfeckin, County Louth from 25 – 30 June for the annual An Chúirt Chruitireachta International Harp Festival, featuring performances by our very own Music Generation Louth and Laois Harp Ensembles!

An Chúirt Chruitireachta is one of the major annual showcases for Irish harping, organised by Cairde na Cruite and featuring renowned harpers from Ireland and further afield. Established in 1960, the Cairde na Cruite society seeks to revive and develop interest in the Irish harp at home and internationally.

The Music Generation Laois and Louth Harp Ensembles will take part in the Festival’s popular public concert series, in a performance titled ‘Resounding Harps’ on Wednesday 28 June. The evening will also feature music from the Meath Harp Ensemble, Athenry Harp School, DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama and RIAM Rising Harp Stars, in addition to special guest appearances by Oisín Morrison and a string ensemble performing ‘The Children of Lir’.

Tickets for ‘Resounding Harps’, which takes place at An Ghrianán, Termonfeckin, are on sale now from Eventbrite.

The Music Generation Laois Harp Ensemble is led by musician Siobhán Buckley, and features just some of the 116 harp students currently working with the partnership locally. Previously the Senior Laois Harp Ensemble collaborated with Scottish Harpist Catriona McKay in 2016 to create a new suite of music entitled ‘Rising of the Harps’. Watch a snippet of the debut performance:

More recently, 13 members of the group travelled to Scotland to join acclaimed musicians from around the world at the internationally renowned Edinburgh Harp Festival 2017.

Established in 2013, the Music Generation Louth Harp Ensemble is comprised of 12 players learning with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Éireann Dun Dealgan or Music Generation Louth, who meet twice monthly in Dundalk to rehearse under the direction of musician Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla. Among its many notable past performances, a number of members of the ensemble performed for former US Vice President Joe Biden at the US Ambassador’s Residence in Dublin last June.

Members of both the Laois and Louth Harp Ensembles took part in ‘Avoca: A Celtic Journey,’ a 30th birthday concert for Music Network, with music for large-scale harp ensemble by Phillip Martin conducted by David Brophy. You can look back at a video of the performance online:

An Chúirt Chruitireachta International Harp Festival is a unique opportunity for performers and audiences alike to become immersed in all aspects of traditional music for Irish harp. Together with some of the world’s top musicians and mentors, participants will collaborate and develop their skills and repertoire in a relaxed, ‘no stress’ environment. Some of the mentors involved in the 2017 Festival include Aibhlín McCrann, Áine Ní Dhubhghaill, Cormac De Barra, Triona Marshall, Anne Marie O’Farrell and Dearbhail Finnegan.

Harpers of all ages, standards and styles, from absolute beginners to advanced players, are welcome to join An Chúirt Chruitireachta.To find out more about the Festival or to register for participation visit their website.

For more information about the Music Generation Laois or Louth Harp Ensembles, contact:

Music Generation Laois, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, County Laois
t: +353 57 8664176
e: musicgenerationlaois@laoiscoco.ie
musicgenerationlaois.ie

Music Generation Louth, Louth and Meath Education and Training Board, Chapel St, Dundalk, Louth
t: +353 42 9364635
e: musicgeneration@lmetb.ie
musicgenerationlouth.ie