East Antrim Traditional Music School

Supporters: Our intention is to involve as many individuals and groups as possible in the development of the Music School. If you share our vision we need and seek your support.

Newtownabbey Council

Larne Council

Irish Harp Centre

COMMON GROUND on the hill - SCOTLAND

Ulster Scots Agency

Carrickfergus - 'Journey in Understanding Group'

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We recommend you visit this site!

Brian Pundyke is in the process of developing a great new website called Traditional Irish Music / Learning Resource Centre.

His site has been created to provide a source of learning materials for those wishing to extend their knowledge of Irish traditional music. The materials are free. His site will try to present an ever increasing number of tunes, (Reels, Jigs, Hornpipes, Slip Jigs, Marches etc), in a variety of electronic formats that have proved useful in the learning of Irish Traditional tunes.

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Harping Back to 1792:

The historic Assembly Rooms (formerly the Northern Bank, Waring St. Belfast) was the setting for a performance by harpers ofThe historic Assembly Rooms (formerly the Northern Bank, Waring St. Belfast) was the setting for a performance by harpers of

The event, organised in conjunction with the J B Vallelly Retrospective Art Exhibition was a unique opportunity to see and hear some of the countryThe event, organised in conjunction with the J B Vallelly Retrospective Art Exhibition was a unique opportunity to see and hear some of the country’

The Belfast Harp Festival arranged, to coincide with the 1792 Bastille celebrations, entranced audiences of “Ladies and gentlemen of the 1st fashion in Belfast and its vicinity”. Some 10 harpers attended including the Blind Arthur O’

Inspired by the Festival, Edward Bunting, assistant organist of St. AnneInspired by the Festival, Edward Bunting, assistant organist of St. Anne’s church spent the remainder of his life touring Ireland collecting songs and Airs, many copies of which were placed in the custody of The Linenhall Library. In1797 Bunting published his first collection which included 66 Airs never before printed. This was followed by further publications in the early 19th century. The Bunting Manuscripts are now housed in Queens’

The Belfast Harpers Festival of 1792 was important both culturally and politically in the history of Belfast. The music that Edward Bunting collected became an important well from which many musicians, from within the traditional idiom, sought to quench their cultural thirst. The original Building was not only the venue for the Harpers Festival but also some years later the location for the trial of Henry Joy McCracken.

““It was here in rationalist, Presbyterian Belfast that the renaissance of Irish Music took place” explained historian Dr. George Holmes “We are indebted to Brian Vallelly for facilitating this musical addition to his Artistic Exhibition”

Speaking about the event, Mr. Martin Shane, Director East Antrim Traditional Music School Speaking about the event, Mr. Martin Shane, Director East Antrim Traditional Music School www.eatms.co.uk commented, “The popularity of harping has been increasing dramatically over the last 20 years, in no small measure due to the efforts of Janet Harbison. Consequently we are now blessed with many exceptionally gifted solo performers who also play as a magnificent corps and have a facility on this instrument which is envied by many around the world. In an effort to give focus to the growing number of local harpers and significance to the location, five of the leading traditional harpers participated in a lunchtime recital in the old Northern Bank Building. This, we hope, will act as a precursor to the establishment of an annual Belfast Harpers Festival reflecting the importance of the original in the cultural pantheon, not only in Belfast, but also Internationally.

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Purpose of the School:

Based in South Antrim (Northern Ireland) the ambition of the School is to contribute significantly to the regeneration of the culture of playing traditional music in this area. In particular the School hopes to address the mistaken notion among some within our communities that this aspect of our culture belongs to only one side of the religious and political divide.

Programme:

The experience of East Antrim Traditional Music School has shown that there is a thriving interest in traditional music amongst itThe experience of East Antrim Traditional Music School has shown that there is a thriving interest in traditional music amongst it’

Aims:

The principle aim of the School is to address the current shortcomings in the South Antrim area by providing facilities to strengthen the community infrastructure within Larne and Newtownabbey by providing access to these communities to tuition in traditional music.

To reduce community tension by supporting the development of cross community activity with other traditional music groups in Northern Ireland, Monaghan, Limerick and Scotland.

To foster better relations and respect for those of a different religious and social background improving the image of South East Antrim to outsiders.