Hugh Higgins: A Mayo Harper and his Music with harper Laoise Kelly
The Great Harp Festival, Belfast 1792
M43/6 (NPA Reading Room - Appt. only)
Join acclaimed harper Laoise Kelly for an afternoon exploring the life and legacy of Hugh Higgins
A blind harper from County Mayo, Hugh Higgins, was one of eleven harpers to perform at the landmark 1792 Belfast Harp Festival.
In this lecture, Laoise Kelly sheds light on Higgins’ musical style, his place within the harping tradition, and the tunes attributed to him in the early collections of Edward Bunting, who transcribed many of the tunes performed at the festival.
This is a rare opportunity to delve into the story of one of Ireland’s tradition-bearers, brought to life and performed by one of today’s most celebrated harpers.
Laoise Kelly from Westport, Co. Mayo is regarded as the most significant harper of her generation. She has pioneered a new style of driving instrumental harping showcased in her three critically acclaimed solo albums. She has recorded on over 70 albums with the foremost artists in Irish music from The Chieftains to Kate Bush. She regularly tours solo and also in duo's with uilleann piper Tiarnan Ó Duinnchinn and Clare fiddler Tola Custy. Laoise was awarded TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year in 2020.
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