Swinford harpist set for big Dublin date

Talented Swinford harpist and composer Alannah Thornburgh will take part in TradFest 2024, Ireland's largest gathering of traditional and folk music throughout Dublin in January.

Showcasing the best of established and emerging musical talent, TradFest is a joyful celebration of culture re-imagining and redefining Irish music, and Alannah will be performing in Castle Hall at 7pm on January 26.

She is an award-winning instrumentalist and composer with a focus on traditional Irish harp. Her music explores her family heritage, re-imagining ancient airs and tunes from the Irish harping, American Appalachian, and jazz traditions. This cross-genre interaction and juxtaposition of old melodies with contemporary harmonies and techniques are interwoven throughout her music, described as ‘unforced, fluid, and utterly at home in her own sound.'

The Swinford woman’s debut solo single ‘The Front,’ a homage to the late minimalist composer Conor Walsh, was premiered on Seattle’s KEXP to great critical acclaim. She was nominated for two awards at the 2022 and 2021 RTÉ Folk Awards: Best Emerging Artist and Best Folk Instrumentalist. Alannah featured in an RTÉ 1 documentary ‘A Note for Nature’ in collaboration with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Alannah is also a recipient of the Arts Council’s Next Generation Award 21/22.

She is a founding member of Alfi, a trio that combines traditional Irish and Appalachian music and song, and they were winners of the 2020 US Embassy Creative Minds Award. Alannah will release both her debut solo album and an album with Alfi in 2023. She has recorded, performed, and collaborated with Anna Mieke, Brían Mac Gloinn (Ye Vagabonds), Lemoncello, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Brigid Mae Power, David Keenan, Tristan Scroggins, Conor Caldwell, Gareth Quinn Redmond, and Varo.