South Roscommon venue to host free event to mark Harp Day

Young members of Music Generation Roscommon will join with other musicians later this month for an eagerly anticipated free concert in the south of the county.

The talented young musicians will join up with Pádraic Collins, The Blossom Harp Ensemble, and The Naughton's to provide the entertainment that will mark National Harp Day at Moore Community Hall on Saturday, October 17.

The event is designed to highlighted Roscommon's harping heritage with hands-on harp sessions, workshops by Pádraic Collins, a harp-making talk by Brian Callan, and an evening showcase with the Blossom Harp Ensemble (led by Lizzie Affolter) and young guest musicians.

It will celebrate Cruit Éireann Harp Ireland (CÉHI) 'Harp Day' through partnerships with local harpers, Music Generation Roscommon and traditional musicians, and organisers said 'the day brings communities together, broadens access to the harp, and celebrates the county’s unique musical legacy'.

In the north of the county, St Ronan’s Hall, Keadue will also present a concert showcasing the music of Turlough O’Carolan and its continuing influence, featuring young duo Harping On (Aoife Guckian and Sophie Daly), members of the O’Carolan Trio and The Carolan Collective, alongside Fiachra Guihen, Emma Benson, Mossie Martin (fiddle) and Rachel Noone (concertina). The concert will be filmed for archive by David Knight.

Further events include a lunchtime pop-up concert and hands-on harps at Arigna Mining Experience, and a talk on O’Carolan by historian Luke Gibbons at King House Boyle.