Westmeath harpists to be part of 200-strong online ensemble performance

A number of Westmeath’s harpists are to take part in a 200-strong harp spectacular online this Friday, June 19.

The event is to mark three things - the beginning of the national recovery, the 350th anniversary of harper, Turlough Carolan, and the success of “Harps for Hope”, a series of online harp concerts which has been running since March.

The Westmeath musicians taking part are the Harpers of the Lake Ensemble directed by Anita O'Brien, and an ensemble consisting of students of Anne Marie O'Farrell.

Organising the event is Cruit Éireann/Harp Ireland and the spectcular takes the form of an ensemble performance of Carolan’s well-known love song called ‘Fanny Power’. The performance can be viewed at www.harpireland.ie.

Harps for Hope has featured more than 60 of Ireland’s leading harpers expressing their togetherness and lending their voices to the fight against Covid19. The full series of videos* is available at https://www.harpireland.ie/showevent/harps-for-hope/2020-04-03/.

Aibhlín McCrann, Chair of Cruit Éireann, Harp Ireland explains, “We were been very moved by the response to our Harps for Hope online concert series and by the array and diversity of harp performances that we have received from our wonderful harpers.

“Now we have young harpers from all over Ireland coming together to celebrate our unique harping heritage, lending their voices to the national recovery as we emerge from the pandemic with a spirit of hope, embodied in the Irish Harp”.

The finale of the Harps for Hope initiative has involved more than 200 young harpers from all over the country - north and south - coming together virtually to perform; it has given them hope at a challenging time for young people, and made them feel that they are contributing to the recovery through their harp music.

Cruit Éireann, Harp Ireland is the national umbrella resource organisation for the harp in Ireland: its organisations, harp players and harp makers. It was established in 2016 by harpers in collaboration with the Arts Council, An Chomhairle Ealaíon to support the continuing development of the harp in Ireland, gain recognition for its unique status and secure its sustainability. www.harpireland.ie

*The introductory track on each of the Harp for Hope videos is An Cruitire from the Spirit of Laois suite composed by harper-composer, Michael Rooney and performed by Siobhán Buckley.