Evolving Harps

Máire Ní Chathasaigh grew up in a musical family in Bandon. She was steeped in the oral Irish tradition, and was already proficient in a variety of other instruments by the time that she began to play the harp at the age of eleven. She would later become a multiple All-Ireland and Pan-Celtic winner, developing influential techniques for harp performance of traditional Irish music, as heard on her...

Kathleen Loughnane is highly regarded for her work in arranging traditional Irish dance tunes and airs for the harp and also for researching the music of Irish harp composers of the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1990, she co-founded Dordán, whose mix of Irish and Baroque music has received widespread acclaim. Dordán received the National Entertainment award for traditional music in 1993. She has tau...

Aisling Lyons is a harper and composer from Co. Clare. She is the holder of 8 All-Ireland titles & has performed all around the world, from Europe to The U.S, Australia & China. She is also a teacher and is passionate about sharing her love for the Irish harp. She has been engaged in a wide range of projects throughout her career and has collaborated with musicians from all backgrounds, vi...

Séamus Ó Flatharta was born into a musical family in the heart of the Connemara Gaeltacht and has been immersed in traditional music, song and dance from a very young age. As a solo musician, and in his duet performances with his sister Caoimhe, Séamus has been making waves on stages all around the world. Recent performances include Other Voices and tours with Riverdance.  An Chúirt Chruitireachta...

Mayo-born and bred Lisa Canny began her career touring the U.S., Canada, Russia and Europe extensively as lead singer and musician with groups Celtic Crossroads and The Young Irelanders.  She holds a BA in Irish Music and Dance and a MA in Ethnomusicology. Her work in songwriting and composition is inspired as much by contemporary music genres like pop and electronica as the Irish traditional and...

Evolving Harps: Siobhan Brady Siobhan Brady comes from Limerick in Ireland. She has graduated with a first-class honours Bachelor of Music from MTU Cork School of Music where she specialised in harp performance studying under Anne-Marie Papin Labazordiere. In April 2018, She was awarded first place in two international harp competitions at the North London Music Festival. As a result of this, she...

Evolving Harps: Donnchadh Mac Aodha    Donnchadh Mac Aodha is a 21-year old composer and multi-instrumentalist from Dundalk, Co. Louth. As both a traditional and classical musician, Donnchadh finds himself most at home at the interface of these genres and allows his bi-musical upbringing to influence his compositional output. In recent years, he has been heavily influenced by contemporary classica...

Evolving Harps: Brídín Brídín is a contemporary folk singer, composer and harper. She began her musical journey at home in her musical household, and later under the tutorage of celebrated harper and teacher Gráinne Hambly. After studying music at UCC she pursued a musical career alongside her day job as a funeral director and embalmer. Brídín's musical style is rooted in traditional Irish mu...