Festival Teachers

Aibhlín McCrann (Course Director)

Aibhlín McCrann has been involved with An Chúirt Chruitireachta since its inception and has been Festival Director for the past 17 years,. As Secretary of Cairde na Cruite, Aibhlín has shown a particular interest in the integration of the Irish harp into mainstream Irish music as well as in the development of skills and repertoire for Irish harpers.

The Festival mentors/tutors represent some of the most respected and experienced teachers in Ireland and include a number of internationally renowned performers:

Cormac De Barra (www.cormac.debarra.net )has performed throughout Europe, the USA and the Far East. With Anne Marie O’ Farrell he has frequently appeared in concerts/recitals for harp duet and currently tours with singer Hazel O’Connor as well as performing regularly with singer Máire Ní Bhraonáin and her band.

Maire Ní Chathasaigh (www.oldbridgemusic.com) has developed a variety of new harp techniques, particularly in relation to ornamentation, with the aim of establishing an authentically traditional style of Irish harping. Together with guitarist Chris Newman, she records and tours extensively all over the world.

Helen Davies (www.helendavies.dk) has held orchestral posts in Sweden and Ireland and is particularly associated with the work of Shaun Davey. Now based in Copenhagen, Helen’s main work is in the field of contemporary improvised music, blending acoustic and electronic sounds with trumpet player/composer Palle Mikkelborg.

Áine Ní Dhubhghaill is one of Ireland’s leading harpists and is renowned for her performances of a wide repertoire ranging from traditional to jazz. Áine has played to universal acclaim at numerous venues throughout Ireland, Europe and the U.S and she is currently the harp teacher at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

Dearbhail Finnegan (www.dearbhailfinnegan.com) combines a busy career as a soloist with teaching harp in the O’Carolan Harp school in Nobber,Co Meath, the birthplace of Turlough O’Carolan. She is currently Director of the Meath Harp Ensemble which she formed in 2003. She travels extensively, performing in Europe and the USA and has released a number of recordings for Irish harp.

Kim Fleming has performed in Europe Africa, Japan, Europe and the USA along with many prestigious performances in Ireland. Kim has a particular interest in harp tutoring and is the Director of the Mullingar and Granard harp schools.

Gráinne Hambley (www.grainne.harp.net)is a native of Co Mayo and travels widely performing and teaching the Irish harp. She specialises in teaching Irish traditional music ‘by ear’ and is also a very proficient concertina player. She has featured on a number of recording s and has released three solo CDs.

Kathleen Loughnane (www.oreillydesign.com/harp) co-founder of the group Dordán, is based in Galway and has an international reputation both as a performer and teacher. Her research into traditional and classical sources has informed her own compositions, while her arrangements have featured on the Irish Harp Syllabus of the Royal Irish Academy of music.

Anne Marie O’Farrell’s (www.iol.ie/~amofharp) development of the Irish harp as a concert instrument has led to performances and recordings for TV and radio throughout Europe, the USA, Scandinavia and Japan. Anne-Marie is especially noted for her transcriptions of keyboard, lute and pedal harp repertoire for the Irish harp, and for her unique levering techniques.

Caitríona Yeats is recognised as one of the most distinguished of present day harpists and has performed with much success in Europe and the United States. Catríona has also given numerous masterclasses and workshops and is currently harpist with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra.

Michael Rooney (www.draiochtmusic.com) From Scotstown, Co Monaghan, is regarded as one of the finest exponents of the Irish harp in Irish traditional music. He has composed extensively over the last decade and has completed four suites of music. Michael is in much demand as a harp and concertina tutor in Ireland and throughout the world and holds an MA in Traditional Music performance from the University of Limerick.

Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich, well known Kerry seannós singer will be joining us at an Chúirt Chruitireachta as singer in residence. We look forward to an exciting collaboration of harp and voice as we explore the many ways to interpret songs in Irish and English.

Over the years, harpers have discovered that the degree of personal improvement they have achieved through high calibre, intensive tutoring, in an atmosphere of good fun, is quite unique among festivals of harping.