SIOBHÁN LONG

Traditional Songs from County Louth Rossendale Records ****
When it comes to understanding the human stories that define our history, Frank Harte always championed the singer as the real source, and this trio cast their collective net wide in trawling the immense riches of their shared song heritage. The mix of charismatic voices and intriguing choices pulls into sharp focus the canny and wily songwriting of 18th-century balladeer John Shiel, as well as the rich bequests from 20th- century locals Mary Carolan and Pat Usher. A number of Child ballads also jostle for attention in this tapestry of picaresque tales. Benefiting greatly from the interweaving of three voices (Voice Squad member Gerry Cullen, song collector and Cran’s singer Seán Corcoran, and Drogheda emigré Dónal Maguire), this is a collection that reveals its glistening gems one by one, with an ear ever cocked towards the subtler side of a song, exemplified by the opener, a notably different reading of that ragged ballad The Wild Rover.

Annual International Festival for Irish Harp
An Chúirt Chruitireachta
‘Total immersion from dawn to dusk – harps at every turn and so many different styles’Fionnuala, Dublin

Harpers of all standards and styles should not miss out on one of the world’s top international harp festivals for the Irish harp which takes place from Sunday 1 July to Friday 6 July 2012. An Chúirt Chruitireachta is a week long programme of tuition, workshops, concerts and sessions which takes place in An Grianán, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth.

“We are delighted to welcome participants from France, Germany, Russia, Japan and the U.S. who will join the Irish harpers for a dynamic week of tuition and concerts featuring the most talented exponents of traditional music” says Festival Director Áine Ní Dhubhghaill. The festival, now in its 27th year, offers harpers an opportunity to gain a full appreciation of Irish harp music, song and dance while developing new skills and repertoire in a lively environment. It combines a dual element of a residency programme for harpers and a public element which showcases the talents of top harpers, both Irish and international through evening concerts, afternoon ‘Focus on Youth’ concerts, workshops and sessions.

The Evening Concert Series for this year’s festival runs from Sunday 1st July to Thursday 5th July. These concerts provide the public with an unrivalled opportunity to explore the cross cutting relationships between the Irish harp, its positioning within Irish traditional music and its place within the wider tradition of harping in Ireland and Scotland.
This year An Chúirt Chruitireachta is delighted to present the following series of evening concerts:

Where: An Grianán, Termonfechin, Co Louth.
When: 8pm
Tickets: €15, Concessions €12.
Booking: info@cairdenacruite.com
Website: www.cairdenacruite.com

Sunday 1 July
Fáilte Isteach featuring the acclaimed Scottish duo Catriona McKay, harp and Chris Stout, fiddle

Monday 2 July
A Marriage of Equals: Experience the magical combination of harper-composer Michael Rooney, and June McCormack, flute

Tuesday 3 July
A Night to Remember: Wire strung Harper Paul Dooley, dynamic duo Laoise Kelly, harp and Michelle O Brien, fiddle join singer Gerry Cullen of The Voice Squad

Wednesday 4 July
A Family Affair: Join Cormac, Éamonn and Fionán De Barra of Barco and harper, Anne-Marie O’Farrell with special guest artiste Moya Brennan.

Thursday 5 July
Ceolchoirm na Féile: Enjoy a feast of foot-tapping music when harper Máire Ní Chathasaigh, and Chris Newman, guitar join forces with special guest Gerry O’Connor (fiddle).

There will also be a series of daily concerts featuring festival mentors and workshop specialists giving participants an opportunity to experience world-class performers in a truly informal setting. “Over the years, An Chúirt Chruitireachta has built up a really loyal audience who look forward to hearing the best of Irish harping combined with other traditional musicians and singers showcasing the vibrant Oriel tradition, a bond we’re very keen to maintain” says Ní Dhubhghaill.

Festival mentors represent some of the most respected and experienced teachers in Ireland and include a number of internationally renowned performers including Cormac De Barra, Máire Ní Chathasaigh, Anne-Marie O’Farrell, Kim Fleming, Aisling Ennis, Oisín Morrison, Kathleen Loughnane and Dearbhail Finnegan. West Kerry seannós singer, Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich will be singer-in-residence for the duration of the Festival.

An Exhibition of Irish and Pedal Harps mounted by a number of premier Irish and international harp makers will be open to the public from 2pm on Sunday 1st July at An Grianán.

Reservations: info@cairdenacruite.com or Áine Ní Dhubhghaill 087 2629136

Note to Editors
Cairde na Cruite, since its establishment in 1960, has played a central role in the revival and development of interest in the Irish harp. While its original objectives espoused the provision of expert tuition and the publication of music for the Irish harp, its mission has evolved considerably over the last 52 years and the society has made a significant contribution to the development of a vibrant dynamic role for the Irish harp, and its positioning within Irish traditional music. Currently the society is actively involved in:
promoting interest in the Irish harp nationally and internationally, continuing to integrate the wire and gut strung harps with mainstream Irish music through the medium of the Irish language where appropriate, facilitating the provision of teachers of the Irish harp, introducing a wider audience base to the ancient courtly harping tradition through information giving, recording and performance of the music.
www.cairdenacruite.com
The International Harp Festival 2012 Programme is now available to download here.

Tá fáilte roimh chách. Más tosaitheoir thú nó más cruitire oilte thú, bí linn agus bain taitneamh as sármhúineadh agus sárcheol ó chruitirí den scoth.