Galway Early Music Festival features Harpers and Pipers

In just a few weeks the Galway Early Music Festival will begin in the west of Ireland.  This year, the organizers, several of whom are regulars at Scoil na gCláirseach, have succeeded in bringing harper Siobhán Armstrong, piper Barnaby Brown and piper and singer Griogair Labhruidh, the members of Coracle, to the festival.  If you are [...]

The sound of gold strings

Brendan Ring has just posted his first video clip playing the new Trinity College Harp by William MacDonald of Skye. This one is strung all in gold, and as you will hear, has found its voice early. Enjoy the lush sound of Brendan’s playing. The tune is a piobaireachd entitled Clan Ranald’s March to Edinburgh. [...]

Poetry, Harping, and Brigid

It’s Imbolc, or Brigid, the first day of Spring on the Celtic calendar.  Crocuses are in flower in the garden, and the sun visited for the entire day. In honor of Brigid, patroness of smithcraft, poetry and healing, and in observance of the 6th annual Brigid poetry festival by some people I know, let’s listen [...]