Harp Festival attracts large crowds

Large crowds travelled to Nobber at the weekend for the 22nd annual O'Carolan Harp Cultural and Heritage Festival. Traditional music performances, competitions and workshops as well as well as talks on famous musicians of the past were the main attractions of the weekend, which started on Thursday night with a talk by archaeologist, Matthew Seaver. O'Carolan College was a lively spot on Friday night with a performance by Sileas, while 'The Harpers Connellan' were the subject of a talk by Kathleen Loughnane on Saturday morning. Harp competitions and instrumental workshops took place on Saturday afternoon and that night saw the Kilfenora Ceili band give a lively performacne. They were joined by Mike Hanrahan of Stockton's Wing and Irish dancer, Michael Donnellon. Fr Seamus Houlihan, PP, celebrated the traditional Mass on Sunday which included harp recitals and Irish dancing. This was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the O'Carolan monument and a ceili in the local community hall.