Cormac de Barra facts for kids

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

About Cormac De Barra

Cormac de Barra grew up in a family of musicians and singers in Dublin, Ireland. His family also 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 a teacher named Leone Paulson.

Early Career and Performances

Cormac's first big professional job was a six-month tour in Osaka, Japan. He played the harp at the Irish Exhibition during Expo '90. While in Japan, he even performed for Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at their palace in Tokyo. An important Irish writer, Seamus Heaney, was also there. Cormac also spent six months performing in Seville, Spain, at Expo '92.

From 1993 onwards, he toured with his family, with another harpist named Anne-Marie O'Farrell, and as a solo artist. He also worked in theatre in Dublin. He performed in plays by William Butler Yeats and was a music director for another play.

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

Achievements and Television Work

Cormac won the Féis Ceoil Harp Competition in 1989, which he calls 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 CD, called Barcó.

Besides performing, Cormac has also been a TV presenter. He hosted a traditional Irish music show called Flosc on TG4, Ireland's Gaelic-language TV channel. In 2002, Flosc won an award for Best Music Series from Irish Music Magazine. He also presents an arts show called Imeall on TG4.

Musical Groups and Collaborations

In 2003, Cormac joined his brother Fionán in Moya Brennan's band. In 2007, they both became part of the famous group Clannad again. Since 2009, he has also toured and performed with singer and composer Julie Feeney.

Cormac is also part of a family trio called Barcó with his brothers Fionán and Éamonn. They have released CDs like Barcó and An Caitín Bán. 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, who plays the flute.

He has also worked with Máire Breatnach on fiddle and viola for a duo CD. Cormac has recorded three CDs with Celtic singer-songwriter Ashley Davis in the United States: Down By the Sea, Songs of the Celtic Winter, and Night Travels.

Music Albums

Cormac de Barra has released many albums, both on his own and with other talented musicians.

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

Albums with Other Artists

With Hazel O'Connor

• 5 in the Morning, (1998)
• Beyond Breaking Glass, (2000)
• Acoustically Yours, (2002)
• A Singular Collection, (2003)
• Hidden Heart, (2005)

With Moya Brennan

• Óró - A Live Session, (2005)
• An Irish Christmas, (2005 & 2006)
• Signature, (2006)
• Signature (Special Tour Edition), (2007)
• Heart Strings, (2008)
• My Match Is A Makin', (2010) - Cormac de Barra & Moya Brennan
• Voices & Harps, (2011) - Cormac de Barra & Moya Brennan
• Affinity, (2013) - Cormac De Barra & Moya Brennan
• Canvas, (2017)

Other Collaborations

• Christmassy (2017) - Brian Kennedy
• Night Travels (2014) - Ashley Davis
• Songs of the Celtic Winter (2012) - Ashley Davis
• Clocks (2012) - Julie Feeney
• Down By the Sea (2010) - Ashley Davis
• On Song 2: Red Sails in the Sunset , (2005) - Brian Kennedy

See also

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