Scoil na gCláirseach – Festival of Early Irish Harp Concerts

OPW Kilkenny Castle is very pleased to welcome Scoil na gCláirseach – Festival of Early Irish Harp, which returns to Kilkenny this July. Two evening concerts as follows will be hosted at The Parade Tower.

SUNDAY 28 JULY, 8:00 pm
MASTERS OF IRISH MUSIC
Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde, voice
Siobhán Armstrong, early Irish harp
Martin Tourish, accordion

A one-off gathering of three of Ireland’s leading performers of evocative, soulful Irish music. Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde, the prize-winning sean-nós [‘old style’] singer, will perform with Siobhán Armstrong, Ireland’s foremost performer on the ancient Irish, brass-wire-strung harp. Musician and composer, Martin Tourish, [Young Musician of the Year, 2008], makes a rare Kilkenny appearance also, in an evening of solo singing and harpers’ songs from the ancient Irish harping tradition, together with lively instrumental music. Presented in the late 12c Parade Tower of Kilkenny Castle.

TUESDAY 30 JULY, 8:00 pm
GIVE ME YOUR HAND – MUSIC OF THE 1600S FOR A GAELIC CASTLE
Allan MacDonald, voice and small pipes
Tamzin Elliott, early Irish harp
Róisín O’Grady, soprano
Toby Carr, Renaissance lute

Described as ‘the single most important living source of Gaelic musical culture’, acclaimed Scottish piper, and singer, Allan MacDonald, makes a rare Kilkenny appearance this July. He will be joined by historical harpist, Tamzin Elliott – in their Irish debut – playing the ravishing, ancient Irish harp, with its rare brass-wire strings. Also performing at this one-off Kilkenny date is rising British star of the Renaissance lute, Toby Carr, and historical-music soprano, Róisín O’Grady, in a programme of intimate music from Scotland, Ireland, England and France in the evocative surroundings of the late 12c Parade Tower at Kilkenny Castle.

Tickets: Tickets – https://festival.irishharp.org/tickets
€18 / €12 (student & unwaged)
€28 (both concerts)
No live streaming: concert videos will be available to all ticket holders from Aug. to Dec.

Further information: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/historicalharpsocietyofIreland/