merrion street

Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will today, Tuesday 28 July 2011 launch the RTÉ Lyric FM

CD as part of An Chúirt Chruitireachta, the International Festival for Irish Harp at An Ghrianán, Termonfechin, Co. Louth.

Commenting on the launch, Minister Deenihan said "Ireland is the only country in the world with a musical instrument as its national emblem. The symbol of the harp is everywhere: from our coins and passports, to official documents. It is probably one of our most enduring and recognisable images and today there are more professional harpers and students of our national instrument than ever before.’’

(produced in association with Cairde na Cruite) is the latest release from RTÉ lyric fm and it celebrates the virtuosity of sixteen of our leading harpers playing music ranging from solo harp tunes collected at the Belfast Harp Festival in 1792 right up to compositions created in the twenty-first century for harp, trumpet and guitar.

includes harpers who have played for American Presidents, as part of

, at international festivals and events, and those who have won Grammy Awards.

Masters of the Irish Harp

Minister Deenihan also said "This CD features internationally renowned musicians all of whom are leading exponents of their instrument. Masters of the Irish Harp is a musical snapshot of the vitality of Irish harp playing today and is a must for all music lovers."

Minister Deenihan concluded "When the media coverage of the trials and tribulations of modern life begin to wear us down, there is nothing better than to turn the dial to Lyric FM and listen to the soothing music of some of our greatest Irish harpers. This CD provides an ideal platform for some of these musicians to reach a wide audience and I am sure that the works of Aibhlín McCrann, Paul Dooley and Cormac de Barra to name but a few will provide listeners of Irish traditional music with hours of enjoyment."