Another lovely piece written by my talented partner Mike Oates Now my journey has nearly concluded, and my burden I will lay downMany miles I have been rambling, and have been welcomed in every townI’ve been known to keep good company, and the ladies I did charmAnd I’m grateful to my creator who’s been shielding […]
The Harpers Farewell (O’Carolan) Read More »
In book two of my Harper’s Journey series, my protagonist, Orla, sitting by the grave of a four year old boy who has succumbed to smallpox, is visited by a tune. When writing this passage in Chapter 22, I was called to my harp. This is the tune that came to me as a gift
Creativity is such an unknown, and its source is perhaps unknowable. I don’t have a definitive answer for this. Nor can I give you the why of it; it just comes. I can tell you how it is for me, based on my experiences. These may be mine alone, and therefore are possibly unique to
where does creative inspiration come from? Read More »
In my book On Horse and Harp I write about the three noble strains of music, the Goltrai, the strain that would cause the weeping. The Geantrai, the joyful strain, causing people to laugh and be merry, and the Suantrai, the strain for soothing and sleeping. The excerpt below is from a day when Orla,
Lament for the seafarer Read More »
This poem was written for me by my talented partner Mike Oates in 2019, and I would like to share it with all those who work with their harps to make a positive contribution to another’s life! The forlorn human bundle lays; bereft, resigned as in a dazeOn a bed that witnessed better days, both
Reserved for Angels Read More »