Máire Ní Chathasaigh
Encyclopedia
Máire Ní Chathasaigh (ˈmˠaːɾʲə nʲiː ˈxahəsˠəɟ) (born 1956) is an Irish
harp
ist and singer. She began playing at only eleven years old, inspired by her family, many of whom are noted musicians from West Cork
. She drew heavily on traditional styles, but also created new techniques of ornamentation. She has won the All-Ireland competition at under-fourteen and under-eighteen levels and then, in the mid 1970s, she won the Senior version three years in succession.
Her 1985 The New-Strung Harp was the first harp album to consist of exclusively Irish traditional dance music. Her stylistic innovations made her famous in the Celtic music
scene, and she began teaching in continental Europe
and in the United States
. She has taught for more than fifteen years at Cúirt Chruitireachta, a school in Termonfeckin
, County Louth
, organized the Irish Harp Society, Cairde na Cruite. Her arrangements have been collected in two books, The Irish Harper Vols. I and II, and she has an honours degree in Celtic Studies from University College Cork. In 1989 she recorded The Living Wood with guitarist Chris Newman, they have worked extensively together as a duo since then.
Máire also works with the Choir of New College, Oxford
and the New English Chamber Orchestra, and she also appeared on the film Driftwood
. Among other musicians, she has worked with Celtic pioneer Dan Ar Braz
.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
harp
Harp
The harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
ist and singer. She began playing at only eleven years old, inspired by her family, many of whom are noted musicians from West Cork
West Cork
West Cork refers to a geographical area in south-west Ireland, lying within Ireland's largest county, County Cork. Traditionally a popular tourist destination, the area is seen as being distinct from the more populated northern or eastern parts of the county, as well as the more urban area of...
. She drew heavily on traditional styles, but also created new techniques of ornamentation. She has won the All-Ireland competition at under-fourteen and under-eighteen levels and then, in the mid 1970s, she won the Senior version three years in succession.
Her 1985 The New-Strung Harp was the first harp album to consist of exclusively Irish traditional dance music. Her stylistic innovations made her famous in the Celtic music
Celtic music
Celtic music is a term utilised by artists, record companies, music stores and music magazines to describe a broad grouping of musical genres that evolved out of the folk musical traditions of the Celtic people of Western Europe...
scene, and she began teaching in continental Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. She has taught for more than fifteen years at Cúirt Chruitireachta, a school in Termonfeckin
Termonfeckin
Termonfeckin or Termonfechin is a small village and townland in County Louth, Ireland. It is within the parish of the same name, and lies north-east of Drogheda. The population of the village was 653 as per census 2006.-History:...
, County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
, organized the Irish Harp Society, Cairde na Cruite. Her arrangements have been collected in two books, The Irish Harper Vols. I and II, and she has an honours degree in Celtic Studies from University College Cork. In 1989 she recorded The Living Wood with guitarist Chris Newman, they have worked extensively together as a duo since then.
Máire also works with the Choir of New College, Oxford
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
and the New English Chamber Orchestra, and she also appeared on the film Driftwood
Driftwood (film)
Driftwood is a 2007 horror film that was shown at the Screamfest LA International Horror Film Festival on October 20, 2006. The film was released on DVD on November 13, 2007...
. Among other musicians, she has worked with Celtic pioneer Dan Ar Braz
Dan Ar Braz
Dan Ar Braz, born Daniel Le Bras , is a French guitarist and the founder of Héritage des Celtes.- The apprenticeship years :...
.