This special performance lecture and reception celebrates the release of The Egan Irish Harps: Tradition, Patrons and Players by Nancy Hurrell of Braintree, MA, recently published by Four Courts Press with support from John J. Burns Library.

The harps of Dublin maker John Egan (fl.1797-1829) display the exquisite artistry of the late Georgian period, as evidenced by the two rare Irish harps in Burns Library. A self-taught harp maker, Egan was awarded a royal warrant by George IV and invented a new national instrument: the “Portable Irish Harp,” which proved vital to Ireland’s continued harping tradition. Hurrell will discuss Egan’s innovations and legacy, and play a 200-year old Egan harp from her own collection.

Hurrell is a harpist, harp historian, and consultant to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The leading authority on Egan, Hurrell spent a decade examining harps in museums and private collections and is author of the Egan entry in the Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments (2014). A performer in several Boston early music ensembles, she has been a harp instructor at the Boston Conservatory and Brandeis University. Her groundbreaking CD, The Egan Irish Harp, is the first recording of an Egan Portable Irish Harp, c.1820.

This event is jointly sponsored by the Irish Georgian Society and Boston College Libraries. A full bar and hors d’oeuvres reception will begin at 5:00pm with the program to follow at 6:00pm. All are welcome. RSVPs appreciated.

For general directions and parking information, please refer to the University's Admissions site. We recommend parking in the Commonwealth Garage.