Fundraiser on Friday for revived Clare harp festival

FESTIVAL fever is in the air in East Clare as final preparations are made for the revived and renamed Tuamgraney Harp Festival, writes Fiona McGarry.

This Friday (February 25), Nuala’s Bar and Restaurant will hold a festival fundraiser from 9.30am to midday and residents and visitors alike are invited to drop in for cake and a cuppa. There will also be some live music to set the tone for the festival.

The festival, which had to be moved online last year due to the pandemic will be back under a new name from May 13 to 15. The committee is in the final stages of planning “a wonderful welcome back” and will be announcing the full line up soon.

Previously named The Blossom Harp Festival, the event was first set up in 2016. The festival runs overs two days with the aim of reviving interest in the harp, the Irish national emblem and integral to our culture for centuries, by supporting ensembles and integration with other traditional instruments.

The festival has combined workshops, facilitated by renowned musicians, with concerts and competitions for solo harpists and combination groups. 

Traditionally, the festival also hosts a gala concert and has welcomed internationally acclaimed musicians and local talent.

Those who have performed previously include renowned harpists Micheal Rooney, Patrick and Louise Marty (France), Alisha MacMahon, Holly Geraghty, Laoise Kelly, Fiana Ni Chonaill, The Blossom Harp and Cuisle ensembles together with internationally acclaimed fiddle players Manus Maguire and Denis Liddy and concertina players Mary McNamara and Tim Collins.

Set dancing classes have been facilitated by Marie McMahon and a céilí and impromptu music sessions completed three very successful weekends with Taylor’s Cross, Sliabh Aughty, Out the Gap Céilií Band, Alan Hogan, Stephanie Keane, Music World, Scariff Community College, Kirby’s family, Michael and Rachel Grogan, Lough Derg Community Choir and Martin Moloney.

The hope is that this year’s festival will once again show the harp in its very best light.

At Nuala’s on Friday, donation buckets will be on the door.

“As the harp festival is run by a community of volunteers and is not for profit we are organising the above fundraiser to ensure we can deliver a wonderful welcome back harp festival event this coming May in person in Tuamgraney village,” a Facebook post for Nuala’s said.