Catriona McKay and Anne-Marie O Farrell perform together at a concert during the Tuamgraney Harp Festival at St Joseph’s Catholic Church.
A FEAST OF MUSIC descended on East Clare while the Tuamgraney Harp Festival was held over the weekend.
From the first session in Nuala’s on Friday to the grand finale concert on Saturday, the music was described as simply spectacular.
Internationally renowned harpists Catriona McKay and Anne-Marie O’Farrell wowed the audience with their performance supported ably by local and national musicians and singers. The workshops in harp, concertina and fiddle provided a unique opportunity to learn from musicians at the top of their craft.
Harp builders, Brian Callan, Tim O’Carroll and Kevin Harrington participated in a lively questions and answers session moderated by Manus McGuire in St Cronan’s tenth century church, the trio had their own takes on the construction methods involved when it comes to making Ireland’s national instrument. The discussion was recorded and is to be available to listen back via tuamgraneyharpfestival.ie with highlights to be broadcast on Scariff Bay Community Radio in the near future.
The festival finished on Sunday with an online harp workshop and a ‘Minding your Music’ workshop facilitated by Cliodhna Donnellan, a first for any festival in Ireland and very well received by the participants.
