Speech at the Irish Harp Centre
Castleconnell, Co. Limerick, 24th February 2015
A Mhéara,
A Dhaoine Uaisle,
Tá an-áthas orm bheith i bhur láthair ar an ocáid specialta seo. Tá mé buíoch daoibh as ucht an cuiridh agus as ucht na fíorchaoin fáilte sin a d’fhear sibh romham.
[Mayor,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to be here with you on this special occasion. I am grateful to you for the invitation and for the warm welcome you have extended me.]
I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the impressive work of your director Dr Janet Harbison, her students and everyone involved with the Irish Harp Centre. I wish to thank Janet for inviting me and I also want to congratulate all of her students on their wonderful achievements. Particular congratulations are also due to those involved in the magnificent event “Brian Boru, Lion of Ireland”, which took place last August in St. Mary’s Cathedral. I understand that it consisted of no fewer than 70 harps, a 40 strong choir as well as soloists. Logistically as well as musically it was a magnificent feat.
The harp is probably the most enduring and reocognisable of Irish images. Indeed, Ireland is the only country in the world with a musical instrument for a national emblem. Since the foundation of the State in 1922, the harp has been used as the official symbol of our government, appearing on our coins, passports, and government stationary. Its elegant form represents tradition, dignity and heritage.
From as early as the Middle Ages, Irish harpers were everywhere celebrated for the excellence and exuberance of their tradition and musicality. In ancient times, they were highly trained court musicians, providing the musical background to the performance of epic tales and poetry for the nobility – at that time the old chieftains and Anglo-Norman Lords.
The harp is one of Europe’s oldest music traditions and is both ‘classical’ and ‘traditional’ – classical in that it is the court music of the nobility performed by a highly trained class of professionals – and traditional in that it is ancient and born of our Celtic origins. It is older than the concertina or uilleann pipes and has continually evolved, each century offering much diversity in its repertoire, from self accompanied songs to the music of the blind harper Turlough O’Carolan.
Ireland has long been recognised for the important role that our musicians have played nationally and internationally. The diversity and quality of creativity in Ireland is the most important ingredient in fostering our reputation of being a dynamic and culturally rich nation. The arts are an important part of people’s lives and we are rightly proud of our artists, writers, musicians and performers.
I believe that it is important that we continue to develop an appreciation of our indigenous music and art, at both a grassroots level and abroad, in order to ensure a knowledgeable audience who can appreciate and support the talented artists this country produces.
By carefully building on our international reputation for the arts and culture, our creative industries can play an important part in helping to construct a vibrant, open and more ethical society for our people. Organisations like the Irish Harp Centre will continue to have a vital role to play as we craft this shared future.
It is now almost 13 years since Dr. Harbison came to Limerick and established two new stage groups – the Irish Harp Orchestra and the National Harp Orchestra, which have both inspired much interest in the Irish harp. The Centre forms an integral part of the artistic community in Limerick and it is through its accessible, engaging training programmes and performances that the Centre’s cultural appeal is upheld.
It is fitting also to note the many fruitful relationships that the centre -has created within both the local community and in wider national and international contexts.
I am delighted to see this most noble of Irish traditions being passed down to another generation of young people. Your energy and initiative and your achievements in performance and artistry are a testament to the continuity of an exceptionally special aspect of our history – one that is not celebrated or recognised often enough, and one I am happy to discover is alive and thriving here in Limerick today.
It is important to remember that what you are doing here in Limerick is not merely an exercise in the preservation of past traditions. Your repertoire features new compositions as well as old standards, setting a benchmark of musicianship in Ireland and making this music available to audiences worldwide.
I applaud your work in maintaining Ireland’s reputation of greatness with this venerable instrument and restoring the glory of Ireland’s cultural emblem. This wonderfully complements your stated mission to raise standards, appreciation and visibility of Irish harping nationally and internationally.
The future of the art of harp playing depends of the existence of formal training by qualified experts. To the many who aspire to the high level that Dr. Harbison has set –the first steps of so many young musicians are taken under the guidance of a true professional. Your decision to train and pursue your musical career is taken with a marvellous network of support and expertise.
I can see that there is an extraordinary sense of solidarity, commitment and pride represented here today by this centre. And with that instilled belief, great things are possible. The promotion of and future of harp playing in Ireland is indeed bright – guím gach rath agus beannacht oraibh don todhchaí.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.