This remarkable book is a valuable new resource for those wishing to play and sing the music of this extraordinary 18th-century blind harper. This comprehensive collection gives a unique perspective to the music of the great Irish harper-composer, Turlough Carolan (1670-1738). Caitríona Rowsome has combined Carolan’s surviving airs with sensitive and appropriate harp settings, metrically matching them with Carolan’s surviving lyrics for the airs. Many of the airs are not commonly known as songs, and some include lyrics published here for the first time. For each of Carolan’s Irish songs, an English interpretation is also provided. These are in the form of translations, paraphrases and, in some cases, English songs that give a context to – and a broader understanding of – Carolan’s Irish verse. Particularly fascinating and enlightening are her translations of the Irish lyrics and poems, which give us an insight into Carolan's love for life, extraordinary range of friends and his deep affection for them, both male and female.

 

Caitríona Rowsome, an accomplished harpist herself, has arranged all 226 airs for the Irish harp and has included a detailed explanation of the background of each and about the patron or friend for whom Carolan composed the music. The arrangements vary from simple to complex and will suit a range of skill levels. Historical notes are also provided, as well as an appendix and notes on ornamentation.

 

All 226 airs are included on 4 CDs and are played on a Salvi harp by Caitriona Rowsome.

 

‘A must-have for all Carolan enthusiasts.’

- Áine Ní Dhubhghaill, Royal Irish Academy of Music

 

‘These new harp arrangements and song settings will encourage contemporary Irish harpers to explore afresh this still-beguiling music of three hundred years ago.’

- Nicholas Carolan, Director, Irish Traditional Music Archive

 

About the Author

Caitríona Rowsome was born in Dublin into a family that spans five generations of Irish traditional musicians. She studied Irish harp at the DIT College of Music in Dublin and taught there after earning her teaching diploma in 1990. Rowsome has also adjudicated harp competitions in Granard and taught the Irish harp for a number of years in Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. An honours graduate of DCU with a B.Sc. in Computer Applications, she is a writer for their distance education programme, Oscail, and also paints in oils, drawing inspiration from her native Irish landscape and culture.