Ensemble Directors: Fiona Gryson and Rachel Duffy Kara Lord Bisset, Julieta De Cicco, Rachel Duffy, Aoibheann Galvin, Fiona Gryson, Aoibhe Kettle, Eimear McDonagh, Catherine Magee, Siofra Ní Dhubhghaill and Gaia Sessa

TU Dublin Harp Ensemble is one of the most active ensembles at TU Dublin Conservatoire performing classical, Irish and contemporary repertoire under the direction of Clíona Doris, Rachel Duffy and Fiona Gryson. The ensemble has performed at the World Harp Congress, Edinburgh Harp Festival, Wales Harp Festivals, Royal Conservatoire Scotland, RDS Rising Stars Series, Lá na Cruite/Harp Day, RTÉ Reflecting the Rising Festival, Brian Boydell Centenary Conference and for HRH The Prince of Wales at Hillsborough Castle.

Recent highlights include two online concerts at the invitation of the Wales Harp Festival: ‘The Meeting of the Waters’ (2021) and ‘Wales and Ireland Celtic Knot’ (2022). In July 2022, an augmented ensemble of current and past members performed a concert programme at the World Harp Congress, which took place at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. The ensemble was delighted to receive Culture Ireland’s support for this event.

Performances in 2022-23 include performances for Harp Ireland’s Symposium and for Lá na Cruite/Harp Day 2022, and an invitation from the Harpes au Max International Harp Festival 2023 in Pays d'Ancenis, France.

Programme

The Farmleigh House programme features classical and Irish traditional repertoire for solo harp and harp ensemble on lever and pedal harps, including several works by Irish composers: T. C. Kelly, Joan Trimble, Ruth Mervyn and Philip Hammond. There is also a focus on French compositions for pedal harp with works by Henriette Renié, Germaine Tailleferre, Carlos Salzedo and Bernard Andrès. The harp in traditional music is represented in arrangements by Gráinne Yeats, Gráinne Hambly, William Jackson, and arrangements and compositions by members of the ensemble. The performances will be introduced by Professor Clíona Doris and members of the ensemble.

• Aube Mauve, by Soig Sibéril, arr. Rachel Duffy

• Da Thabh air an Fharaidh | Da Foostra, traditional Scottish reels, arr. Gráinne Hambly and William Jackson

• The Stranger at the Door (Jig), by Aoibhe Kettle (Aoibhe Kettle)

Contemplation, by Henriette Renié (Aoibheann Galvin)

• Sonata for Harp, by Germaine Tailleferre

• Allegretto Lento (Kara Lord Bissett)

• Baltiorum, arr. Gráinne Yeats

• Trio, by T. C. Kelly (Rachel Duffy, Fiona Gryson, Siofra Ní Dhubhghaill)

Interval

• Duet, by John Trimble

• Salute to Lough Swilly, by Ruth Mervyn (Rachel Duffy, Fiona Gryson)

• Duke, by Bernard Andrès (Eimear McDonagh)

• Jackson’s Night Cap

• Martin Hardiman’s Jig, arr. Catherine Magee (Catherine Magee)

• A Question About Angels, by Philip Hammond (Siofra Ní Dhubhghaill)

• ‘Interlude’ from A Ceremony of Carols, by Benjamin Britten

• Chanson dans la nuit, Carlos Salzedo (Fiona Gryson, pedal harp)

• Eibhlí Gheal Chiúin Uí Chearrbhaill, traditional Irish air

• Elizabeth Kelly’s Delight, traditional Irish slip jig, arr. Gráinne Hambly and William Jackson

• Lady Keith's Lament, traditional Scottish air

• Gavotte, traditional Breton tune, arr. Gráinne Hambly and William Jackson

Tickets €17 including booking fee.

Doors open 7.30pm, performance starts at 8pm.

*(To avoid long waits for taxis after the event, we recommend booking a taxi in advance if required.)