alannah thornburgh

Alannah Thornburgh is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist and composer with a focus on Irish harp. Alannah’s music explores her family’s musical heritage, reimagining ancient airs and tunes from the Irish harping and American folk & jazz traditions. This cross-genre interaction and juxtaposition of old melodies with contemporary harmonies and technique, carries through her original compositions, creating an innovative style described as ‘unforced, fluid & utterly at home in her own sound’ (The Irish Times). Alannah’s debut album ‘Shapeshifter’ will be released on 12th February 2025.

Alannah’s debut solo single “The Front”, a homage to the late composer Conor Walsh, was debuted by Seattle’s legendary KEXP and featured on BBC documentary “High - Confessions of an Ibiza Drug Mule”. She is also a multi-award winning musician, both in a solo and group setting, including the 2021 Arts Council Ireland Next Generation Artists Award, multiple All-Ireland Fleadh Championships, The Freshgrass Bluegrass Competition (USA) with banjoist Ryan McAuley, and a 2022 & 2021 nominee for ‘Best Emerging Artist’ & ‘Best Instrumentalist’ at the RTÉ Folk Awards. Alannah’s playing has brought her on tour in Ireland, America and Europe both as a soloist and with an array of ensembles and she is often invited to host masterclasses on the Irish harp at academic institutions and international festivals (Maynooth University, University of Limerick, Harfentreffen Festival (Germany), Achill International Harp Festival). Alannah’s version of Conor Walsh’s ‘One Swallow’ was featured on RTÉ 1 'A Note for Nature’ in collaboration with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

Alannah is a founding member of the band Alfi, a trio who combine music & song sourced from the folk traditions of Ireland & America to produce a unique sound described as “beautiful, tear-jerking musicianship” (Bristol in Stereo). Following on from their 2019 release ‘Wolves in the Woods’, Alfi released their debut album ‘Say Old Man’ in July 2023 to great critical acclaim - ‘the album captures the organic, full-bodied spirit of their live shows, as well as the distinctive personalities of the players – and marks Alfi as a vital force in Ireland’s ever-diversifying folk scene’ (Hot Press). Alfi were the winners of the 2020 US Embassy Creative Minds Award, the 2019 Caoimhin O Dochartaigh stage at Imbolc International Festival and the 2018 “Molloy Award” at the Trip to Birmingham Tradfest. They were also nominated as 'Best Emerging Artist' at the 2019 RTÉ Folk Awards.

Alannah has also collaborated and recorded with an array of artists including Loah, Brían Mac Gloinn (Ye Vagabonds), Anna Mieke, Lemoncello, Brigid Mae Power, Cathy Jordan, Ruth Clinton (Landless, Poor Creature), Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Jiggy, David Keenan, Grammy-nominee Tristan Scroggins, Niamh Bury, Aoife Scott, Gareth Quinn Redmond, Jamie Duffy & Varo. 

"…unforced, fluid and utterly at home in her own sound." - Irish Times

‘…awe inspiringly adept…‘ - The Bluegrass Situation

‘…a virtuoso…’ - The Lonely Highway