Harp Ireland presents HARPS FOR HERITAGE 2023 at The Schoolhouse, Muckross House, Gardens and Traditional Farms, Killarney on Sunday 20th August, at 3:30pm.

Featuring Paul Dooley (Early Irish Harp), Kseniya Rusnak (Bandura) • Aisling Urwin & Niamh O’Brien (Irish Harps). Special guests Siamsa Tíre National Folk Theatre.

Admission FREE. Register at eventbrite.ie

Paul Dooley (Early Irish Harp) & Kseniya Rusnak (Bandura)

Ennistymon-based Paul Dooley is one of the leading exponents of the Irish harp in its historical form and style – using a metal-strung harp, playing with the fingernails and damping unwanted string resonance with the fingertips. He has studied the construction of medieval Irish harps in Dublin during the early 1980s and has built several harps.

Kseniya Rusnack fled her home after war reached the Ukrainian capital. She now lives in Lisdoonvarna, where her talent for music has drawn her into the thriving trad scene in the area. Alongside early Irish harper, Paul Dooley, Kseniya performed at the Willie Clancy Summer School and, recently, wowed audiences at Glór in Ennis.

Niamh O'Brien & Aisling Urwin

Niamh O'Brien is harp player, singer and composer from County Limerick, Ireland. She completed her undergraduate degree in Irish Music and Dance at the Irish World Academy, UL, in 2014. Since graduating she has recorded and performed across Europe and the U.S with various groups including AnTara, Alyth McCormack, The Chieftains and contemporary trad trio, Hoodman Blind. She currently lives in Limerick where she is studying for her PhD.

Aisling Urwin is a harper-songwriter-teacher from Kenmare in the South West of Ireland. With a background in Irish Traditional Music, Aisling strives to paint the harp in new colours, challenging traditional views in an effort to stretch people's preconceptions of what the harp should sound like, taking it into new sonic spaces. Aisling's music combines the organic sounds of lever harp and natural vocals with rich electronic sounds and textures.

Siamsa Tíre National Folk Theatre

Siamsa Tíre, The National Folk Theatre of Ireland, is Ireland’s only traditional Irish arts theatre company. They provide live family entertainment through storytelling and performances of traditional Irish music, song and dance.