Bríd Harper
RENOWNED Castlefinn fiddle player Bríd Harper this weekend launches her long-awaited debut album at the Brantry Fleadh 2015, which is being held near Dungannon, County Tyrone.
Now living in Galbally, Tyrone, she will launch her self titled CD on Sunday evening following a concert featuring some of the biggest names in Irish music, including John Doyle, Seán Óg Graham, Dermot Byrne, Brona Graham, PJ McDonald, John Joe Kelly and Trevor Hutchinson. She will also be facilitating a traditional music ‘Master Class’ on Saturday.
Bríd will be selling copies of her CD in Glencolmcille, next Tuesday, August 4, and will be playing at a concert there that evening as part of fiddle week organised by Cairdeas na bhFidiléirí.
Born and reared in the traditional music heartland of east Donegal, Bríd is from a well-known musical family and has been playing the fiddle since she was just nine.
She boasts relations such as Francie Kelly (fiddle) and his accordion playing son Bernard from Crossroads, Killygordon. And her former neighbour, and distant relative, is none other than master fiddler, Matt McGranaghan
She has won many All Ireland under-age competitions at Fleadhanna ceoil and, in 1988, was awarded three major titles namely Senior All Ireland, Oireachtas na Gaeilge and Fiddler of Dooney.
Many musicians cite Bríd as a major influence on their playing and she has been described as one of the finest exponents of traditional fiddle playing of our time. She has appeared on national TV and radio on numerous occasions, toured extensively around Ireland and abroad and is in great demand as a tutor.
For further information, and to purchase a copy of her CD, follow Brid Harper Music on Facebook or email bridharper@hotmail.co.uk
Bríd will also be selling the album through her website, which will be launched shortly, and will also promoted it at a special event in the Balor Theatre, Ballybofey, next month.