Ceol na dTéad : Harper Siobhán Armstrong, singer Róisín Elsafty and uileann piper Ronan Browne in concert.
This trio presents the scintillating voice of one of Ireland’s finest sean-nós singers, Róisín Elsafty together with the very rare and beautiful sound of the medieval Irish harp, played by Ireland’s foremost historical harper, Siobhán Armstrong, woven with the diverse colours of Ronan Browne’s flutes, whistles and 170-year-old pipes.

From sparkling songs to harp laments and old pipes pieces, we are given a glimpse of the unique sound of early Ireland. Róisín performs evocative unaccompanied songs in the Conamara style, together with 17th & 18th century Irish harpers’ songs with harp and flute accompaniment. Playing a facsimile copy of the medieval Trinity College harp – in the ancient manner, with fingernails striking brass, silver and gold strings, Siobhán plays the compositions of the old Irish harper-composers. Ronan’s flat pitch Union pipes, dating from the 1840s, have that rich tone which makes you want to curl up and snuggle deep into their rumbling purr as he performs old airs, marches and jigs.

The coming together of these three musical minds with their deep love and respect for that past makes for a warm, informative and joyous evening’s entertainment.

From Sunday 30th June to Friday 5th July, the 34th International Festival of Irish Harp sees harpers from Ireland and all corners of the world gather at An Chúirt Chruitireachta, Cairde na Cruite’s residential harp festival in An Grianán, Termonfechin, Co. Louth. Alongside a series of workshops for harpers is the very popular public concert series that features a roll call of Irish and international leading harpers including Maeve Gilchrist, Cormac De Barra, Siobhán Armstrong, Janet Harbison, Oisín Morrison, Paul Dooley, Séamas Ó Flaithearta, Triona Marshall and many others. Rising harp stars will be showcased at the Festival lunchtime harp series at The Tholsel in Drogheda. Full programme at www.cairdenacruite.com/festival.