O’Carolan Harp, Culture & Heritage Festival
Turlough O’Carolan may have died over 250 years ago, but his legacy to Irish music lives on and is celebrated in this weekend festival in Nobber, Co Meath, the town where he was born.
O’Carolan is often referred to as ‘the blind harpist’ and was a prolific composer and performer of both songs and instrumental harp music, the most famous of which is probably Carolan’s Concerto.
The festival takes place in O’Carolan’s birthplace, the tiny Co Meath village of Nobber.
Harp competitions for all ages from under 10 to adult are an important part of the festival and are a great place to hear the harpists of the future playing to a remarkably high standard.
The headline act in 2011 is Irish traditional music ensemble Lúnasa, while O’Carolan’s Farewell to Music, conceived and performed by Patrick Ball, is a one-person musical theater piece which brings to the stage the life and times of the harpist.
Other events over the weekend include an exhibition of harp makers, historical tours, ceili’s, music sessions in the pubs of Nobber and several family events, so there is plenty to do in between attending festival events.
Event Information and Location Map
Tickets for the two headline events are available on the festival website and can also be purchased at the door. Most other events are free.
Greetings from Kenya. I sincerely hope you ALL had a wonderful time at the Festival Events in NOBBER this past weekend. I could almost hear the harp music from here in western Kenya !!!!!
Long may the Festival live and prosper. DB