Cormac de Barra facts for kids

Cormac de Barra is a talented harpist, singer, and television presenter from Ireland. He is also a key member of the Moya Brennan Band.

About Cormac De Barra

Cormac de Barra grew up in a family of traditional musicians and singers in Dublin, Ireland. His family has roots in County Cork. He learned to play the Irish harp from his grandmother, Róisín Ní Shé. Later, he studied the concert harp in the United States with Leone Paulson.

Early Career and Big Performances

Cormac's first professional tour was in 1990. He spent six months playing at the Irish Exhibition during Expo '90 in Osaka, Japan. While there, he had a very special performance for Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at their palace in Tokyo. The famous Irish writer and Nobel Prize winner, Seamus Heaney, was also at this recital. Cormac also performed for six months at Expo '92 in Seville, Spain.

Working with Other Artists

Since 1998, Cormac has toured with the singer Hazel O'Connor in her show 'Beyond Breaking Glass'. He has also played with many other famous groups and musicians. These include The Chieftains and the Irish Harp Orchestra. He has also performed with Cathy Jordan from Dervish, Liam Ó Maonlaí, and his own brothers, Fionán and Éamonn. Éamonn is a member of the band 'Slide'. Cormac has recorded music with Galldubh, Moya Brennan, and Brian Kennedy.

Milestones and Achievements

Cormac won the Féis Ceoil Harp Competition in 1989. He calls this his first big moment. At just 17 years old, he performed for the Emperor of Japan in Tokyo. He also played at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with Hazel O'Connor. In 2003, he released his first solo CD, called Barcó.

Television Work

Besides performing, Cormac has also worked in television. He presented a traditional Irish music show called Flosc on TG4. This is Ireland's Gaelic-language TV channel. Flosc won the award for Best Music Series in 2002 from Irish Music Magazine. Cormac also presents the arts series Imeall on TG4.

Joining Famous Bands

In 2003, Cormac joined his brother Fionán in Moya Brennan's band. Then, in 2007, both brothers became part of the famous group Clannad when they reunited. Clannad is a world-renowned band. Since 2009, Cormac has also toured and performed with the singer and composer Julie Feeney.

Family Music Group

Cormac is also part of a family trio called Barcó. He plays in this group with his brothers, Fionán and Éamonn.

Recordings and Collaborations

Cormac has released several recordings. These include the CDs Barcó and An Caitín Bán with his family. He has also made harp duo CDs, Double Strung and Duopoly, with Anne-Marie O'Farrell. Another recording is 'Music of Great Irish Houses' with Karin Leitner, featuring flute and harp. He has also collaborated on a CD with Máire Breatnach, who plays fiddle and viola. Cormac has also worked on three CDs with Celtic singer-songwriter Ashley Davis in the United States. These albums are Down By the Sea, Songs of the Celtic Winter, and Night Travels.

Cormac De Barra's Music

Cormac de Barra has released many albums, both as a solo artist and with other musicians. Here are some of his main studio albums:

Studio Albums

• Barcó, (2003) - Cormac De Barra
• Double Strung, (2005) - Cormac De Barra & Anne-Marie O'Farrell
• Music of Great Irish Houses, (2007) - Cormac De Barra & Karin Leitner
• Tarraing Téad - Pulling Strings, (2010) - Cormac De Barra & Máire Breatnach
• Voices & Harps, (2011) - Cormac de Barra & Moya Brennan
• Affinity, (2013) - Cormac De Barra & Moya Brennan
• Duopoly, (2014) - Cormac De Barra & Anne-Marie O'Farrell
• An Caitín Bán, (2015) - Cormac De Barra & the De Barra and Ó Tuama families
• Timeless, (2019) - Cormac De Barra & Moya Brennan
• The Crannua Collective, (2019) - Cormac De Barra & Éamonn De Barra, Moya Brennan, Dave Curley, Ashley Davis, John Doyle, Dave Curley, Colin Farrell, Cathy Jordan, Gawain Mathews and Mick McAuley

Collaborations on Other Albums

Cormac has also appeared on many albums by other artists. He has recorded with Hazel O'Connor, Moya Brennan, Brian Kennedy, Ashley Davis, and Julie Feeney.

See also

• Moya Brennan
• Hazel O'Connor
• Gearóid de Barra