Cork harpist to mark Brexit with performance outside British Embassy
A Cork harpist will play outside the British Embassy in Dublin today to mark Brexit day.
The harpist, Ruth Mc Donnell, said she wanted to show her "sadness" at the UK's decision to leave the European Union and thought playing the 'The Parting of Companions- Scarúint na gCompánach' was an appropriate gesture.
"I am playing my harp outside the Embassy to express my sadness at the United Kingdom leaving the European Union and to wish them well for the future," Ruth said.
I remember well when Ireland and the UK joined the EEC and today, as a musician, this is my way of marking the parting of ways.
"The Irish phrase ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine –we live in the shadow of each other captures how interdependent we are and how we need to pull together to solve the many world challenges that we face today. That is the beauty of the European Union. It has delivered enduring peace for all its members."
Ruth is from Dublin but has lived in Cork for 33 years. As a student, she played the harp at Knappogue Castle in Co Clare and has performed in Europe and Asia.
She has always had an interest in European affairs and studied on European Integration at the College of Europe in Brugges, Belgium in the early 1980s at a postgraduate level.
She is the former Head of Media and PR at University College Cork.
