Féile Cruitirí Bhéal Feirste / Belfast Harp Festival

Féile Cruitirí Bhéal Feirste / Belfast Harp Festival

Wednesday, 26 July 2023, 7.30pm

Unreserved Seating
Age permitted: All ages. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult
Tickets: £15.00
Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich is fully accessible, with a wheelchair accessible lift to all floors.
BYO Only. No Bar available

In association with Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich featuring Laoise Kelly, Aisling Lyons, Lauren O'Neill, Úna Monaghan, Daithí Gormley & Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn.

The Belfast Harp Festival, called by contemporary writers “The Belfast Harpers Assembly”, 11–14 July 1792, was a four-day event organised by merchant class Presbyterians Dr. James McDonnell, Robert Bradshaw and Henry Joy, (proprietor of the Belfast News-Letter and uncle to Henry Joy McCracken). It’s purpose was to revive an interest in harp music and to collect the music of the harpers and note their style of playing for future generations. What was hoped to be a revival, proved to be a farewell to the old tradition. Eleven harpers attended. Seven were blind. The eldest, Denis Hempson (1695 -1807) from Derry, was 97. He was the only one to use the ancient way of playing with the fingernails. By far the most important thing that happened at the festival was that a young man from Armagh named Edward Bunting (1773-1843), was employed to write down the music of the harpers, and to make notes on their instrumental techniques. He dedicated the rest of his life to collecting and preserving Irish music. He published three volumes of music, collectively known as the Ancient Music of Ireland.

Tonight we pay tribute to that event and the Bunting Collection.

Further information available at: https://www.belfasttraditionalmusic.com/concerts2023/belfast-harp-festival

Contact: [email protected]

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Published by Belfast TradFest on 19 May 2023

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