Maire Ni Chathasaigh - The New Strung Harp

Maire Ni Chathasaigh's iconic and ground-breaking solo album, The New Strung Harp, is of historical significance as the first harp album ever to concentrate on traditional Irish dance music, and was released by Scotland-based Temple Records in 1985 to much critical acclaim. It was described as An intensely passionate and intelligent record... a masterpiece of virtuosity... a milestone in Irish harp music by the CORK EVENING ECHO newspaper (Ireland), as A classic exercise in music-making by THE SCOTSMAN, and as Exquisite... exhilarating harp virtuosity... an undoubted classic by THE IRISH PRESS.

The owners of Temple Records, Robin Morton and his wife, wonderful harpist and glass-artist Alison Kinnaird,had already very kindly decided, before Robin recently died, to wind up the company and gift the album rights back to the recording artists. As Maire now owns the rights to the album, Old Bridge Music has had it digitally remastered, given a beautiful new cover and artwork and is now re-releasing it.

Some reviews the album received after its release in 1985:

Exhilarating harp virtuosity... From her deep knowledge and love of her music, Maire has developed a unique approach to the harp and to ornamentation which makes this album an undoubted classic - THE IRISH PRESS

Unquestionably deserves to be hailed as a classic exercise in music-making. - THE SCOTSMAN

A labour of love and a joy to the listener - IN DUBLIN