Cairde na Cruite
‘Friends of the Harp’
Festival 2008
Sunday 29th June - Friday 4th July 2008
An Grianán, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth, Ireland
An Chúirt Chruitireachta
The annual Cúirt Chruitireachta in Termonfeckin now ranks among the top international harp festivals. It focuses primarily on the music of the ancient harping tradition and Irish traditional music and attracts students from all over the world. This challenging week long programme of workshops, concerts, sessions and tuition offers an opportunity to gain a better understanding of Irish music, song and dance as well as developing the skills and repertoire for players of all standards.
Venue
An Grianán in the village of Termonfeckin, Co Louth, is easily accessible as it is just 50km from Dublin and is near the main Northern highway. There is a regular train and bus service between Dublin and Drogheda, the nearest town. A bus and taxi service is available between Drogheda and An Grianán, the Festival venue, where you will have comfortable accommodation, excellent food and all the facilities needed to ensure a thoroughly enjoyable week.
Space is limited, so apply NOW to ensure your place! Applications with €100 deposit by May 1st please. NB: Deposits are non-refundable and must be paid in Euro
The fees include all tuition, concerts/workshops, accommodation and full board. An Grianán offers single and double rooms ensuite.
You may now apply for the course using the online booking form.
Who should attend?
Harpers of all standards and styles who want a thoroughly enjoyable time while developing their skills and repertoire. Participants are graded and assigned to mentors who can offer them the best opportunity for improvement. (Children under 10 years must be accompanied by an adult)
What can I learn?
Tutoring sessions are conducted on a modular basis so that participants can benefit from a collaborative multidisciplinary teaching approach. A full range of harping techniques are covered and include:
• Irish harping techniques
• Traditional ornamentation
• Session and group playing
• Wire strung harp styles
• Music of the 16th and 17th century Harpers
• Singing in Irish and English
If participants have specific requirements, we'll endeavour to ensure that they are addressed during the week.
Pedal Harp: A pedal harp class for Irish students is offered at an Chúirt Chruitireachta. This gives Irish students an opportunity to study with a number of world class exponents of the instrument from within and outside Ireland as well as enabling them to maintain active contact with harpers of diverse styles. It also allows Irish harpers to experience the classical harp repertoire and appreciate the capacity of the orchestral instrument.
Workshops 2008
Explore the potential of the Irish harp and its role in instrumental and singing traditions of Ireland, Brittany, Denmark and Wales with workshop leaders :- Máire Ní Chathasaigh ( Ireland); Anne Postic (Brittany); Helen Davies and Paul Hoexbro ( Denmark); Cormac Cannon and Brian McNamara ( Uilleann Pipes, Ireland ) and Seannós singer, Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich (Ireland).
Concert Programme 2008
Lunchtime concerts
There will be a series of daily lunchtime concerts featuring festival mentors and workshop specialists. This gives participants an opportunity to experience world-class performers in a truly informal setting.
Evening concerts
Evening concerts, which are open to the public, have always been a major highlight of An Chúirt Chruitireachta and are one of the major annual showcases for Irish harping throughout the year.
• Opening Concert featuring concertina player, Noel Hill who will be joined by the acclaimed Galway-based group, Dordán with Mary Bergin, Kathleen Loughnane and Dearbhail Standún.
• ‘Duelling Harps’ with Cormac de Barra,harp; Rick Epping, harmonica; Gráinne Hambley, harp and Brian McNamara, Uilleann Pipes.
• Early Irish harp music with internationally renowned harper, Siobhán Armstrong, Seannós singer Róisín Elsafty and harp music from the Breton tradition with Anne Postic.
• ‘Tunes that have travelled’ with dynamic Danish duo, Helen Davies, harp and Paul Hoexbro, wind, while Cliona Doris, pedal harp and Margaret Doris, cello display the virtuosity of the pedal harp with a selection of contemporary Irish music for harp and cello.
• Gala final concert featuring the award winning group Liadán.
Exhibition
There will be an exhibition of Irish and Pedal harps for the duration of the festival mounted by a number of premier Irish and international harp makers.
An Chuirt Chruitireachta is generously supported by The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon
"Truly terrific – better than I expected. Am quite sad to be leaving. Invaluable and life-altering! Thank you, see you next year!"
FESTIVAL FEES
Adult rate: €795
Student rate: €500
Pedal harp rate: €575
Listeners: €695
"Had a wonderful week, learned so much. Loved every moment of my time. Thanks to all."
"Fantastic week from start to finish. It just kept getting better and better. Thank you so much."
"Fantastic – a really wonderful experience, concerts were amazing."
"Fabulous. A credit to the organisers. The modules worked very well."
"Fantastic week from start to finish. It just kept getting better and better. Thank you so much