St Brigid’s Day Celebrations: Pioneers and Trailblazers

St Brigid’s Day Celebrations: Pioneers and Trailblazers: Women in Irish Harping and Song, performance in the Epic - the Irish Immigration Museum on January 29th, 2022 by Dr Sandra Joyce and Dr Helen Lawlor as part of the Temple Bar Tradfest

The vibrant tradition of Irish harping has grown in significantly in popularity and scope over the past few decades. In 2019 UNESCO recognised the importance of this tradition, inscribing Irish harping on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The success of the harp revival has generated exciting new contexts and possibilities for performers, composers and audiences with an array of opportunities for teaching and learning the harp now evident throughout Ireland. Much of the stellar work in teaching and performing the harp nationally and internationally has been carried out by dedicated women artists who have each contributed to the rich tapestry of harping in Ireland. This performance and talk highlighted how, through song and music, women have passed on, shaped and impacted the Irish musical tradition. Sandra Joyce (song) and Helen Lawlor (harp) have drawn on their extensive research to illustrate their performance with a discussion on the role women have played and continue to play in harping and Irish traditional music today.