Music by Siobhán Armstrong and used with kind permission, thank you
SIOBHÁN ARMSTRONG is one of Europe's foremost historical harpists, performing and recording 16th- to 18th-century opera and chamber music with many of Europe's most prestigious historical performers, and also collaborating with some of Ireland’s best traditional musicians. She founded and chairs The Historical Harp Society of Ireland. Her own early Irish harp is a copy of the medieval Trinity College or Brian Boru harp—the national emblem of Ireland.
In 2014, Middlesex University, London, awarded her a post-graduate research bursary to pursue PhD studies in early Irish harp performance practice. Siobhán has also embarked on a recording project, with her chamber ensemble, The Irish Consort, to present a series of recordings of music in Ireland 1500-1800. The consort’s debut recording Music, Ireland and the Sixteenth Century was released in February 2019. This project was kindly funded by the Arts Council Music Recording Scheme, managed by Music Network. www.siobhanarmstrong.com
Gofraidh Fionn Ó Dálaigh (died 1387), of Duhallow, Country Cork, was an Irish poet and Chief Ollam of Ireland.
He is known to be one of the most important professional poets of fourteen-century Ireland.
Gofraidh Fionn (Geoffrey the Fair) was a member of the Ó Dálaigh family of poets. He is known for his poem, Filidh Éireann go haointeach, which commemorates An Nollaig na Garma. This convention of poets and men of learning was held by King Uilliam Buide Ó Ceallaigh of Uí Maine at his castle in County Roscommon during Christmas of 1351.
lyrics
The Harp of Cnoc I'Chosgair
Harp of Cnoc I'Chosgair, you who bring sleep
to eyes long sleepless;
sweet subtle, plangent, glad, cooling grave.
Excellent instrument with smooth gentle curve,
trilling under red fingers,
musician that has charmed us,
red, lion-like of full melody.
You who lure the bird from the flock,
you who refresh the mind,
brown spotted one of sweet words,
ardent, wondrous, passionate.
You who heal every wounded warrior,
joy and allurement to women,
familiar guide over the dark blue water,
mystic sweet sounding music.
You who silence every instrument of music,
yourself a sweet plaintive instrument,
dweller among the Race of Conn,
instrument yellow-brown and firm.
The one darling of sages,
restless, smooth, sweet of tune,
crimson star above the Fairy Hills,
breast jewel of High Kings.
Sweet tender flowers, brown harp of Diarmaid,
shape not unloved by hosts, voice of cuckoos in May!
I have not heard music ever such as your frame makes
since the time of the Fairy People,
fair brown many coloured bough,
gentle, powerful, glorious.
Sound of the calm wave on the beach,
pure shadowing tree of pure music,
carousals are drunk in your company,
voice of the swan over shining streams.
Cry of the Fairy Women from the Fairy Hill of Ler,
no melody can match you,
every house is sweet stringed through your guidance,
you the pinnacle of harp music.
supported by 5 fans who also own “The Harp Of Cnoc l'Chosgair”
What a lovely listen. Laid back & sweetness personified. Congrats Eoin. Love your playing & sensitive approach to music. Complements extended too to the fantastic musicians joining you. Maith thú. Brian Fitzgerald
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