Sounds of Early Ireland – Elsafty, Armstrong & Browne

Sounds of Early Ireland – Elsafty, Armstrong & Browne.

Witness the scintillating voice of one of Ireland's finest singers Róisín Elsafty, together with the very rare and meltingly beautiful sound of the medieval Irish harp, played by Ireland's foremost historical harper Siobhán Armstrong, woven through with the diverse colours of Ronan Browne's flutes, whistles and 180-year-old Irish pipes.

From sparkling songs to harp laments and old pipes ‘pieces', this concert will treat you to an all-too-rare experience of the rich and unique sound of early Ireland. Róisín performs mesmerising, unaccompanied songs in the florid Connemara style and, with Siobhán and Ronan, evocative love songs of the old Irish harpers. Siobhán plays an almost unique copy of Ireland's national emblem, the medieval Trinity College or Brian Boru harp, in the ancient manner with fingernails striking wire strings producing a delicious sound that transfixes the listener. And Ronan's low-pitched Grand Union pipes, dating from the 1840's, have that rich tone that makes you want to curl up and snuggle deep into their rumbling purr as he performs old airs, marches and jigs.

The coming together of these three musical minds with their deep fascination, love and respect for that past which created our present, makes for a warm, informative and joyous evening's entertainment.