Summer Strings with TU Dublin Harp Ensemble

TU Dublin Harp Ensemble presents a concert of historical, traditional Irish and contemporary works for harp ensemble in celebration of Ireland’s rich harping tradition. The concert features compositions and arrangements by Gráinne Hambly, William Jackson, Gráinne Meyer, Luke Webb, Anne-Marie O’Farrell and Rachel Duffy.

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BIOGRAPHY

Founded by Denise Kelly McDonnell, the ensemble is currently directed by Rachel Duffy and Fiona Gryson, and mentored by Clíona Doris. Each of the members is pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate or doctoral studies at TU Dublin Conservatoire.

The ensemble has enjoyed both international and national performances 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, the Cornstown House ‘Music on the Farm’ concert series, and for HRH The Prince of Wales at Hillsborough Castle.

International highlights include an augmented ensemble of current and past members performing at the World Harp Congress in July 2022 at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, and in May 2023, an invitation to perform several concerts at the Harpes au Max International Harp Festival in Pays d’Ancenis in France.

Recent performances include a lunchtime concert at TU Dublin Conservatoire in February 2025, a collaboration with Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland and Music Generation for Ireland AM to promote Lá na Cruite/Harp Day in October 2024, and a performance at the Féile na Tána Festival in Carlingford, Co. Louth in February 2024.

The ensemble is looking forward to returning to An Chúirt Chruitireachta International Harp Festival in July this year.

REPERTOIRE/PROGRAMME

1. ‘Fermentation’ by William Jackson

2. ⁠’Eibhlí Gheal Chiúin Uí Chearrbhaill’ (trad. Irish air) | ‘Elizabeth Kelly’s Delight’ (trad. Irish slip jig) arr. Gráinne Hambly and William Jackson

3. ‘Freedom’s Call’ by Luke Webb

4. ⁠’Maid of Culmore’ arr. Anne-Marie O’Farrell

5. ‘Lady Keith’s Lament’ (trad. Scottish air) | ‘Gavotte’ (trad. Breton Gavotte) arr. Gráinne Hambly and William Jackson

6. ‘Harps Alive’: ‘Trigger’s Lament’ by Brian Finnegan and ‘The Crosskeys’ by Stevie Dunne arr. Gráinne Meyer

7. ‘Aube Mauve’ by Soig Sibéril arr. Rachel Duffy | ‘The Gateway Slip Jig’ by Rachel Duffy

8. ‘Thugamar Féin an Samhradh Linn’ (trad. Irish song) arr. Gráinne Hambly and William Jackson

9. ‘Seasick Dee’ by Damien O’Kane arr. Gráinne Meyer