Irish Heritage’s first event of its 45^th season is a special recital that explores the extraordinary history and heritage of the harp in Ireland.

The London based performing arts organisation is bringing two leading exponents of the Irish harp to the stunning Wolfson Room of The British Academy in the heart of the Westminster.

Siobhán Armstrong and Clare McCague are at the forefront of rediscovering forgotten riches of harp music from earlier times - Siobhán on the brass-wire-strung early Irish harp and Clare on the gut-strung, European pedal harp which replaced the ancient harp in Ireland in the early nineteenth century.

In this shared recital from either side of the watershed year 1800, when one harp was dying out and the other gaining ground, Siobhán presents music from the last Irish harpers: evocative laments, marches, love-song airs and sparkling dances while Clare performs 19^th century repertoire for the pedal harp which flourished through the influence of visiting virtuosi. These harpists extemporised on popular Irish airs incorporating the melodies into their compositions.

Much of the evening’s programme will include music never performed before in London.

Tickets are £20 each for adults (including wine reception and programme) and £5 for students on production of ID. Adult tickets are available online via www.irishheritage.co.uk (there are no booking fees) and on the door; student tickets are only available on the door on the evening.