The young Charles O’Connor of Belanagare was privileged to learn pieces on the harp directly from Carolan himself, as well as from other harpers in his circle:  Charles MacCabe, Mary Connellan, and a certain Máire Dhall.  Two MS diaries from the 1720’s state that Carolan’s good friend Charles MacCabe taught him Carolan’s piece 'Captain Higgins' — the only one of these pieces we know by name.  Appearing only in one late 18th century Irish publication, this evocative slow air and its lively and lovely jig fit beautifully on the Early Irish Harp.  We’ll look at the early publication as well as O’Sullivan’s version, then work through my own version with fingering.

(part 1 of a two-part session)