Thurles Information

Congratulations to Thurles born and Saturday’s Girl Band star Una Healy who has announced that she is three month pregnant with her first baby.

The delighted 29-year-old beauty was home to Thurles on Wednesday week last, enjoying a break at her parents home before returning to the UK to perform with her band on the following Friday.

(Click on Image for larger picture.)

The talented singer and her 26 year old boyfriend Ben Foden, whom she has been dating since November 2008, are understood to be really happy and excited about the forthcoming event. Ben, who is currently on the other side of the world, touring New Zealand with the England rugby team for the World Cup, also shared the announcement with his team mates at their hotel in Queenstown.

While the sex of the baby has not yet been disclosed, Una has shelved plans to celebrate her 30th birthday with Ben in New Zealand next month. It is understood she is worried about the effects any long-haul flight might have on her unborn baby.

Photo courtesy George Willoughby.

Harpist Siobhán Armstrong Explains Early Harp to Queen Elisabeth II

The Historical Harp Society of Ireland will present one of its 2011 Summer Series of three concert highlighting 16th—18th century Gaelic harps, vocal and piping repertoire, at the Holy Trinity Church, Main Street Fethard, Co. Tipperary, on Friday, 19th August next.

This is a rare opportunity to hear early Irish harps, the meltingly beautiful sound of brass, silver and 18-carat gold strings played in the old manner, with fingernails, by three of the world’s foremost early Irish harp players.

The Concert, entitled “Mac-talla nan Dun: Echoes of a Gaelic Chieftains’s Castle,” will be joined by Scottish singer and piper Griogair Labhruidh, whose family has been steeped in the musical traditions of Scotland’s Argyll for centuries;  historical Scottish piper, Barnaby Brown, whose haunting early 19th century pipes complement the harps and voice so perfectly and Ann Heymann, Andrew Lawrence-King and Siobhán Armstrong  performing on Irish harps.

Note: Siobhán Armstrong played the harp for Thurles native, Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II, during her Royal visit.

The early Irish harp is the Gaelic world’s illustrious medieval harp strung in brass and sometimes even silver and gold. Played in Ireland and Scotland from at least 1000 AD and made famous by harpists such as blind Turlough O’Carolan. The skill of early Irish Harp playing almost died out in the early 19th century.

Ticket Cost: €12/10, (Payable at the door, but pre-booking is highly recommended.)
For Bookings: Tel: 087 113 0578.
Time: Concert begins at 8.00pm sharp on Friday, 19th August next.

For lovers of real music everywhere, this performance is truly a ‘must see,’ event.