New album from Limerick harper bridges tradition and art

LIMERICK harper Fiana Ní Chonaill is to release her second album, Something Old Something New, at a free concert on Friday February 13 at Kilmurry Arts and Heritage Centre, Castletroy, (V94EH63) at 7pm

The Castleconnell musician’s latest recording weaves together established traditional tunes with newly composed music, reflecting a deep respect for tradition whilst allowing space for personal voice and contemporary creativity.

Dr Ní Chonaill, who comes from a family involved in Irish music for three generations, collaborated with guest musicians including Alan Reid on bouzouki and bodhrán, Malcolm Bushby on violin, Denise Kennedy on piano, and Úna Heaney on violin, viola and cello.

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Jack Talty at Raelach Studios in Cloonselherny, Co Clare, the project extends beyond sound into the visual realm. Contemporary Irish artist Meadhbh Ní Eidhin created individual artworks inspired by each of Ní Chonaill’s newly composed tunes, adding an evocative visual dimension to the music.

A graduate of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, Ní Chonaill completed an MMus at Newcastle University and was awarded a PhD from UL in 2023, specialising in traditional Irish music festivals and cultural tourism.

Her debut album, Dathanna an Cheoil (The Colours of Music), was released in 2016. Whilst balancing a career of teaching and performing, she remains focused on developing her musical creativity through composition, drawing inspiration from the rich history and culture of her locality as well as life events and encounters.

Ní Chonaill received the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ashling Murphy Research Scholarship in 2023 and the Limerick City and County Council Dolores O’Riordan Music Bursary Award in 2025.

The album launch takes place at Kilmurry Arts and Heritage Centre, Castletroy, at 7pm. The album will be available to purchase at www.fianaharpmusic.com.