Keadue & O'Carolan


Come to Keadue and enjoy harp and traditional music in this mystical village surrounded by lakes, woodland and archaeological sites at the foot of the Arigna Mountains.

Keadue

Keadue (Ceideadh - which means low lying hill) is set on the Arigna mountains scenic drive in a landscape adorned by lakes and mountains. The village presents a delightful picture with traditional houses, stone walls, gardens, and window boxes adorned with flowers and shrubbery. In 1993 Keadue won the National Award in the Tidy Towns Competition, being declared Ireland's tidiest town and best kept village.

O'Carolan International Harp Festival

The renowned music festival takes place annually in Keadue commencing August Bank Holiday. This ten day event of Irish music and culture, features traditional music concerts, sessions and workshops, craft demonstrations and exhibitions, side by side with the International Harp Competition, School and Recitals. The festival is a must for anyone interested in Irish tradition or music.

Turlough O'Carolan

Harper, composer and singer, Turlough O'Carolan is known as the last of the Irish bards and was born in County Meath. Whilst still a young boy, he moved with his family to County Roscommon. At Alderford House, O'Carolan came under the guidance and tutelage of the McDermottroe family. At the age of 21, having completed his education and musical studies, O'Carolan's career as a bard and composer began. It is as a composer that O'Carolan is best known and some 200 of his tunes survive to this day including the well known piece "O'Carolan's Concerto". His remains now lie at Kilronan Abbey, built by the O'Duignans in the fourteenth century.

American visitors will be interested to know that "The Star Spangled Banner" is based on music composed by Turlough O'Carolan.

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