Headford Lace Project will celebrate the ancient harp tune and song, Mailigh San Seoirse also known as Molly St George which has a historical and cultural significance for the town which now has been forgotten. 

This project will comprise of a multi-layered inclusive intergenerational initiative through, song, music and dance culminating in a collective concert performance at ‘Something in the Water Festival’ 2024.

‘A Meitheal for Molly ’ will work with professional arts practitioners involving over 200 enthusiastic participants to reclaim the song/tune for Headford. 

The St George family took possession of an estate in Headford under the Cromwellian Act of Settlement,1652. The ancient tune Molly St George is one of Ireland’s oldest pieces of harp music, attributed to Sligo harpist, Thomas Connellan (1640-1694). Adjunct lyrics were added about Molly St George, the lady who inherited the Headford estate in 1749 and was a patron of the lace industry.

The tune will be explored by a variety of dancers, musicians, choirs from Headford, each of whom will put their own spin on it, thus reclaiming a piece of local history.  The choral, dance and musical performances will be showcased at a concert during “Something in the Water Festival’ October 5, 2024 affording engagement with the local community to celebrate the homecoming debut of Molly St George. 

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.