What: O’Carolan Harp & Cultural Festival When: October 3rd–5th, 2005 Where: Nobber, County Meath, Ireland The Birthplace of Carolan A monument to Carolan will be unveiled in the village on Sunday, October 5th. In 1988 a committee of local people including traditional musicians and other cultural interests were formed to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the death of Turlough O’Carolan, the blind harpist, composer and poet who was born in Nobber in 1670.

The Festival
The Festival has since taken place annually and it has now become an international event. Carolan’s work has been performed at the Festival by a host of acclaimed artists, among them the Chieftains, Maire Ni Chathasaigh and Chris Newman, Dordan, Noel Hill, Arty McGlynn and Gráinne Yeats. Since 1995 was a year of political and cultural reconciliation on this island, the O’Carolan Harp and Cultural Festival Committee invited the distinguished Belfast Harp Orchestra to perform at the festival. Their spectacular concert was a memorable occasion for all.

In 1993 “The Meath Harp School” was established. It is based in Nobber and flourishing with twelve students attending.

The Festival features lectures, historic tours, traditional concerts, harp and instrumental workshops and competitions, and a traditional Festival Mass in Irish

Who should attend? Harpers of all standards and styles who want a thoroughly enjoyable time while developing their skills and repertoire. Participants are graded and assigned to tutors who can offer them the best opportunity for improvement.		What can I learn? Classes cover a full range of harping techniques. Among the areas covered are: • Harp technique • Singing to harp accompaniment • Traditional ornamentation • Session playing • Ensemble playing • Music of the Harpers • Wire strung harp tuition

What else? There will be tuition and advice on the tuning and care of your harp, arrangement of harp tunes and songs, programmed presentation and Irish dancing. Evenings will be taken up with concerts and music sessions. If you play any other instrument be sure to bring it with you. You’ll have plenty of opportunities join in! Sessions while you’re here? Tony & Anne Finnegan Tel: + 353 (0) 46 905 2115 Accommodation enquires to : Mrs Bridie McEntee Tel: + 353 (0) 46 905 2181 Bring your fiddles, lutes, banjos, concertinas, accordions and tin whistles as well as your harps!

Angel Band, from New Hampshire, USA