05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Churchill Forge set to welcome New York based musician and Clare harpist this Friday, May 9
The show is organised by the team at 'nonfaction' and it will kick off at 8pm and run until 10pm.
Paul, a musician based in New York, is known for his uncanny ability to bring together classical guitar, baroque chorales, 808s, and Irish traditional melodies and turn it all into a sound his own. A prolific artist, he has released four albums in the past four years. Between 2023's Always Almost Home 'meshing 90s pop and Bach' (MPR) and the 'hidden pop gem' (Irish Times) of 2022ʼs Thunderhead, he experimented with minimal electronic production and folk.
As well as being a regular fixture at the local Irish Trad sessions in NYC, he is a singer, guitar player, and aspiring Irish Flute player; as well as this, for the past two-and-a-half years, he has also played a weekly gig in Manhattan performing Bach on classical guitar.
Clare harpist Ashling meanwhile is just as accomplished.
She is a highly acclaimed traditional Irish musician and composer from who is regularly praised as one of the finest harpists in the country. She holds eight All-Ireland titles and has performed internationally across Europe, the U.S., Australia, and China. She has academic accolades including First Class Honours degrees in Irish Music and Education, and she teaches harp and concertina widely, including at major universities and festivals.
She has worked with several bands such as 3 on the Bund, Merfolk, and Harpanno, and her 2021 debut album Aistear received critical acclaim. Aisling has collaborated on high-profile projects, including work with Aideen Barry, Tolu Makay, and poet Moya Cannon. She has been nominated for two RTÉ Folk Awards in 2022 and continues to compose and perform internationally. She is currently working on her second album and touring with storyteller Aindrais de Staic.
If you want a chance to see these two in action right here in Kerry, tickets are on sale via the link HERE and they will cost €15 (plus a booking fee).
This event is supported by Kerry County Council through their Arts Act Grant.
