Harp Ireland

Lá na Cruite | Harp Day Tralee. Informal harp session led by Michelle O Sullivan and members of the Music Generation Kerry Trad Ensemble.
2024-10-19 16:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Dublin) | Tralee
An informal harp session led by Michelle O Sullivan and members of the Music Generation Kerry Trad Ensemble. Bring your harp, siblings, friends, grandparents etc. for an informal afternoon with harp music and more, all instruments welcome. The perfect occasion to play your favourite piece in public, or to show us your new composition, to sing a song or to recite a poem, or to just come along to listen, meet, chat and enjoy. Free admission.

Lá na Cruite | Harp Day at Fota House with Cork School of Music
2024-10-19 16:30 - 17:30 | Fota House, Fota Island, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork, T45 Y642, Ireland
Join the Cork School of Music Harp Department in celebrating Lá na Cruite | Harp Day The Drawing Room, Fota House, Saturday 19th of October at 4.30pm with a mix of Irish music and movie classics!
Free admission, no booking required.

Lá na Cruite | Harp Day Cicle d’Arts en Viu Simbiosi
2024-10-19 17:00 - 19:00 | l’Espluga de Francolí (Tarragona)
Cicle d’Arts en Viu Simbiosi, linking arts and nature. The main topic of this concert will be “Women and land”. All the shows are held at the agroecologic and veganic farm from Lligams Orgànics, in l’Espluga de Francolí (Tarragona). Simbiosi has held other 5 shows, from theatre to dance. The last one will be on the 19th october, on Harp’s Day with Anna Amigó and her harp and voice. 18h concert 19h tasting of organic products. 17h visit to Lligams Orgànics farm.
Get tickets here

Lá na Cruite | Harp Day Harpers’ Escape Play-Along in-person & online.
2024-10-19 18:00 - 19:30 | New Jersey
Harpers’ Escape Play-Along in-person & online.
A hybrid event which anyone can join via Zoom. A limited number of on-site players will join organizer Kathy DeAngelo at her Voorhees NJ home. The Harpers’ Escape Play-Along meets every Monday at 4pm ET and this is their 5th time hosting a Harp Day event.
Join Here.

Lá na Cruite | Harp Day Listowel Evening Recital
2024-10-19 19:00 - 21:00 | St. John’s Theatre, Listowel
Evening Recital with Hamish O Carroll, Cruitirí Óga Lios Tuathail and special guests.
Free admission.

Lá na Cruite | Harp Day at Ennistymon - Harp Concert
2024-10-19 20:00 - 21:00 | The Courthouse Gallery, Parliament St, Ennistymon, Co. Clare, Ireland
Ennistymon Harp Concert
Date: Saturday, August 14th
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: The Courthouse Gallery & Studios
Join us for an evening of harp music at the Ennistymon Harp Day Concert to celebrate Harp Day | Lá na Cruite. Local harp students, Paul Dooley (wire strung harp), Kseniia Rusnak (Ukranian Bandura) & Aisling Lyons (Irish harp) will serenade you with enchanting melodies in the historic setting of The Courthouse Gallery & Studios. Immerse yourself in the beautiful sounds of the harp and experience a night to remember.
Funded by Clare County Council & Creative Ireland Clare.
Free event | Donations accepted
Book your place here.

Lá na Cruite | Harp Day Tyneside Irish Festival
2024-10-19 20:00 - 21:00 | Tyneside Irish Festival
Harp Day at Tyneside Irish Festival with Fiana Ní Chonaill
Find out more

Lá na Cruite | Harp Day Cavan Town Hall Concert
2024-10-19 20:00 - 22:00 | Co. Wicklow
Ed Reavy Traditional Music Concert.
Tickets €15. Book online at ticketsolve.ie
In partnership with Cavan County Council

Lá na Cruite | Harp Day at Teach Siamsa Finuge with Suzanne Quille
2024-10-20 11:30 - 12:30 | Teach Siamsa Finuge, Co. Kerry, V92WE22, Ireland
Harp Workshop with Suzanne Quille
Location: Teach Siamsa (V92WE22)
Sun, 20 Oct 2024 11:30 – 12:30 GMT+1
Come join us for a fun and educational harp workshop led by the talented Suzanne Quille to celebrate La an Cruite/ Harp Day! This workshop is perfect for those at beginner or intermediate levels. Learn new tunes, improve your skills, and connect with other harpists in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Admission free, all welcome.
Harp Try-Out
Location: Teach Siamsa (V92WE22)
Sun, 20 Oct 2024 12:30 – 13:30 GMT+1
Join us on Harp Day for a casual harp try-out event where you can play a harp and maybe even learn a thing or two about playing this.
This is an event for young and old who would like to learn to play the harp. It is a chance to try the instrument, meet a harpist and learn about where to get lessons and harps! You will also get to enjoy listening to some tunes on the instrument. Don’t miss out on this opportunity. See you there!
Admission free, all welcome.

Lá na Cruite | Harp Day at IIMS Balbriggan
2024-10-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Irish Institute of Music and Song
Celebrate Lá na Cruite | Harp Day with a lunchtime concert at Irish Institute of Music and Song, with leading harp players Dr Helen Lawlor and Aoibheann Galvin at a special event at the Irish Institute of Music. Also featuring the emerging talents of the IIMS Harp Ensemble and IIMS Music Academy students.

Free admission – Tickets available here.

Lá na Cruite | Harp Day HHSI Discovery Day
2024-10-20 13:00 - 16:00 | MTU Cork School of Music
The Historical Harp Society of Ireland will visit MTU Cork School of Music to give staff and students the opportunity to hear the early Irish harp played in concert, have questions answered at an illustrated talk, and participate in a hands-on beginners’ workshop.
1:00–1:45 p.m LISTEN Recital
Siobhán Armstrong (harp) and Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin (harp and voice)
1:45–2:15 p.m: LEARN Illustrated talk: ’The Early Irish Harp through History’
Dr Siobhán Armstrong
2:45: HAVE A GO Workshop: ’Straight from the Harpers’
18th-century Irish harp music – discover original sources & try out newly discovered performance practice
Dr Siobhán Armstrong
Workshop suitable for ALL harps.

Ceiliúradh Cruitireachta | Celebrating Harps
2024-10-20 17:00 - 18:00 | Royal Irish Academy of Music, 36-38 Westland Row, Dublin 2,, Dublin 2, D02 WY89, Ireland
Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland celebrates Irish harping at a very special gala concert in the Royal Irish Academy of Music’s Whyte Recital Hall at 5pm on Sunday 20th October. This grand finale in a feast of harping worldwide marking Lá na Cruite | Harp Day 2024 brings together some of our finest harpers and singers from both Ireland and abroad.
The concert features two new Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland commissions supported by The Arts Council | An Chomhairle Ealaíon. Sean nós singer and twice Grammy nominated artist, Iarla Ó Lionaird, along with US harper Parker Ramsay and composer-arranger Connor Way present a song-cycle for voice and harp which reimagines the deep-rooted connection between harper and poet in a contemporary context.
Composer, harper and producer Maeve Gilchrist, who has released five albums to date, including her most recent 2020 recording, The Harpweaver, has composed a new suite of music for The Harp Ireland Ensemble, which features harpers from almost every county in Ireland and will be premiered at this special occasion. Finally, dynamic brother and sister duo, Séamus & Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta join the line-up to conclude a wonderfully active year of harping in Ireland with a celebration of our almost 1000-year old tradition.

Tickets available here.

Lá na Cruite | Harp Day Soothing Sounds Tallaght University Hospital
2024-10-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Tallaght University Hospital
‘Soothing Sounds’ presents a recital of harp music by Teresa and Mary Louise O’Donnell in the Atrium of Tallaght University Hospital

Lá a Cruite | Harp Day at Tallaght Library
2024-10-21 18:30 - 19:30 | Tallaght Library, Library Square, Tallaght, Co. Dublin, D24 A3EX, Ireland
21st October, 6.30pm
Tallaght Library
Celebrate Lá na Cruite | Harp Day 2024 with Sophie Ní Riain at
Tallaght Library. Sit back, relax and hear the sounds of our almost 1000- year-old Irish harping tradition.
Book here.

Harps Plus featuring ALFÍ, Macdara Ó’Faoláin, Jill Devlin and the young harpers from Music Generation Waterford Harp Ensembles
2024-10-31 08:00 - 17:00 | Garter Lane Arts Centre, Trinity Without, Waterford, Waterford, X91 DX57, Ireland
Harps Plus featuring ALFI, Macdara Ó’Faoláin, Jill Devlin and the young harpers from Music Generation Waterford Harp Ensembles
Saturday 9th November, 7:30pm
Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford
Tickets €15 (Concessions €12) (+Booking Fee) at
Harps Plus concert, presented by Harp Ireland in collaboration with Music Generation Waterford. The evening concert is a celebration of harp music with guests Alannah Thornburgh (harp) and Fiachra Meek (uillean pipes) also known as the band ALFI, Waterford native and renowned musician Macdara Ó’Faoláin, well known Tramore based harper Jill Devlin and the young harpers from Music Generation Waterford Harp Ensembles and programme.

Tickets available here.

Where the Light Is - Ruth Corry Album Launch
2024-11-03 15:00 - 17:00 | Orange Tree House, 1 Portaferry Road, Greyabbey, Co. Down, BT22 2RU, Ireland
Ruth Corry is an Irish harpist from Belfast and has been playing the harp for over 20 years. She graduated from Durham University with a BA (Hons) in Music where she was awarded a first class for her final recital, and where she also completed a PGCE in Primary Teaching, graded outstanding.
Ruth will launch her new album, ‘Where The Light Is’ in the Orange Tree House, Greyabbey on Sunday 3rd November 2024 at 3pm.
Tickets are available at https://www.ruthcorryharpist.co.uk/shop and include tea/coffee/juice and Orange Tree House shortbread 🙂

Harp Makers' Symposium 2024
2024-11-17 11:00 - 16:00 | Royal Irish Academy of Music, 36-38 Westland Row, Dublin 2,, Dublin 2, D02 WY89, Ireland
Harp Makers’ Symposium 2024
Sunday 17 November 2024, 11am – 4pm
Royal Irish Academy of Music
Featuring surprise pop-up Harp Performances
Our Harp Makers’ panel Q and A
Take the opportunity to meet some of our most renowned Irish harp makers, each of them living and making harps here in Ireland. You will have a chance to learn from expert master craftsmen about the traditions and techniques that go into building our national instrument. You can find out too about how to care for your harp at our instrument maintenance workshop, guided by some of the best harp makers in the world. Ask all your harp questions at harp makers’ talks, panels and Q&A sessions.
Harp Performances
Compare the sound of different harps at harp pop-up performances, featuring some of our up and coming young players. Don’t miss out on joining the harp makers, who bring your harp from design to reality, and learn to care for it from the inside out.

11am
Fáilte Isteach/Welcome

11.15am
Open House and Exhibition: Meet your Harp Makers

12.15pm
Hear from the Harp Makers:

The do’s and don’ts of general maintenance
Stringing Secrets
The Early Irish Harp

1.45pm

Pop up Performances; A feast of harps and harping featuring:

2.30pm

Round Table discussion: Why buy an Irish Harp?

3.15pm
Open House and Exhibition: Meet your Harp Makers

Tickets at eventbrite.ie

Harp Ireland Annual Lecture 2024 – What’s Next for Irish Music? | Toner Quinn
2024-11-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Royal Irish Academy of Music, 36-38 Westland Row, Dublin 2,, Dublin 2, D02 WY89, Ireland
Harp Ireland Annual Lecture 2024
What’s Next for Irish Music? | Toner Quinn
Sunday 17 November, 6pm
Royal Irish Academy of Music
Toner Quinn reflects on two decades of Irish music policy and explores its future impact on musicians, arts funding, and the Irish harp.
As well as writing about Irish music for the past 25 years in the Journal of Music, Toner Quinn has been involved in two major national policy shifts: the Arts Council’s 2004 Towards a Policy for the Traditional Arts document and the 2014 Report on the Harping Tradition in Ireland. Now, 20 and 10 years on, respectively, he reflects on the impact of these initiatives and considers what lies ahead. What does the trajectory of recent developments in the arts – from Arts Council funding to the Basic Income trial – mean for musicians? How can we further strengthen music across Ireland? And what do these developments mean for the extraordinary tradition of the Irish harp?
Toner Quinn
Toner Quinn is a musician, writer, editor, publisher and lecturer. He studied music in Waterford and publishing at the University of Stirling in Scotland. In 2000, he founded the Journal of Music, the Irish music publication that won the 2010 Utne Independent Press Award for Arts Coverage.
As well as editing the Journal of Music, Quinn was Project Officer for the Special Committee on the Traditional Arts, which produced the report Towards a Policy for the Traditional Arts in 2004, and, in 2014, he was commissioned by the Arts Council to research the Irish harp, which led to the publication Report on the Harping Tradition in Ireland.
This year, Quinn published What Ireland Can Teach the World About Music, a book collection of his essays described by the Irish Times as ‘a formidable collection… a richly textured all-embracing compendium … Collecting so many well-argued pieces in one place underscores the heft of Quinn’s writing.’
Register at www.eventbrite.ie

The Sugar Club Harp Sessions | Catrin Finch & Aoife Ní Bhriain
2024-11-21 20:00 - 22:00 | The Sugar Club, 8 Leeson Street Lower, Dublin, D02 ET97, Ireland
Experience a new ‘take’ on Irish harping from some of our foremost young harpers. Cruit Éireann|Harp Ireland’s Sugar Club Harp Sessions run throughout 2024 and feature innovative, cutting-edge Irish harp performances from a variety of players, pushing the boundaries of the tradition in new and exciting ways.
Our fifth concert on Thursday 21st November 2024 features Welsh harper Catrin Finch and Dublin born violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain. These two virtuosic performers have played on stages across the world, and performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras.
Catrin Finch, who served as Royal Harpist to H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, has played with New York Philharmonic, the Royal Philharmonic, the Boston Pops, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and the English Chamber Orchestra, and has achieved widespread success as a solo and collaborative recording artist.
Multi-award winning violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain has performed with musicians from all genres including Oscar winner Tim Robbins and his Band of Rogues, Declan O’Rourke, Kris Drever, Martin Hayes and Denis Cahill,as well as RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Korean Chamber Orchestra, l’Orchestre de Chambre Ariege, MuKo Orchester Leipzig.
Their début album as a duo, Double You, has received widespread acclaim.
‘…a sumptuous instrumental melange of virtuosic stringed magic’
Nigel Williamson, UNCUT MAGAZINE
‘spellbinding dexterity’
David Kidman, Folk London
Don’t miss your chance to experience this formidable duo, book tickets now!
Doors 8.00pm, show starts 8.30pm.
Book tickets here.

Róise Ní Laoire | TU Dublin Lunchtime Recital Series
2024-11-28 13:10 - 13:50 | TU DUBLIN, Grangegorman, Dublin 7, Dublin, D07 H6K8, Ireland
Join TU Dublin in the East Quad, Concert Hall at 13:10 on Thursday 28th November for recital presented by Róise Ní Laoire, as she showcases the versatility of both the concert and Irish harp!
When: Thursday, 28th November
Times: 13:10 – 13:50
Where: TU Dublin Concert Hall, East Quad, Grangegorman D07 XFF2
Programme
Au Matin – Marcel Tournier
Dance – Fiona Clifton Welker
Sonatina – Sergiu Natra
Impromptu-Caprice – Pierne
Plus a selection of Trad pieces!
Tickets available here.

Sult & Irla O'Muirthile | The Vintage Dublin
2024-11-29 21:00 - 22:00 | The Vintage, 74 Irishtown Road, Dublin 4, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Sult, a multi-award winning Irish trad group and Irla O’Muirthile, playing trad airs, tunes and songs, and timeless melodies of traditional Irish Music.

Sarah McVeigh Music at Ulster Folk Museum
2024-11-30 11:00 - 2024-12-01 14:00 | Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra, Holywood, Co. Down, BT180EU
Join Sarah McVeigh for two mornings of harp music at Ulster Folk Museum.

Saturday 30th November 11am-2pm
Sunday 1st December 11am-2pm

Ceol Cruite na Nollagh at Killarney Library
2024-12-05 18:30 - 19:30 | Killarney Library, Rock Road, Kilcoolaght, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland
Join Deirdre Granville, Reidun Schlesinger, Marina de Blythe, Sr. Colette, Margaret Looney, Connie Dawson, Nina Wagner McManus, Aisling Urwin and Máire Begley on 5th December. 6.30 pm for an evening of seasonal music at Killarney Library.

Tuamgraney Harp Festival Fundraiser
2024-12-07 11:00 - 13:00 | Nuala’s Bar and Restuarant, Tuamgraney, Co. Clare, Ireland
Tea, coffee and Cake accompanied by seasonal harp music at the Tuamgraney Harp Festival Coffee Morning fundraiser – proceeds in aid of Tuamgraney Harp Festival and Tuam graney Development Association

Cairde na Cruite Christmas Concert
2024-12-08 15:00 - 17:00 | Cornstown House Farm, Cornstown, Ashbourne, Meath, A84 N512
Join Cairde na Cruite for their annual Christmas Concert at 3pm on Sunday 8th December in Cornstown House, Ashbourne Co.Meath.
Seasonal refreshments will be served at this unique venue.
Student harpers are welcome to contact us if they would like to perform some of their Seasonal favourites.

Harp & Song: A Christmas Concert
2024-12-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Russborough House, Blessington, Co. Wicklow, W91 W284, Ireland
Experience the magic of Christmas in Russborough’s magnificent Entrance Hall with an enchanting evening of music performed by two of Ireland’s finest musicians – harpist Ruth O’Hara and soprano Megan O’Neill.
Let their masterful blend of Christmas classics, traditional Irish melodies, and beloved film scores fill this historic space with festive warmth. From timeless carols to Celtic favorites, this promises to be an unforgettable evening of musical celebration.
Date:
Saturday 14th December – 6pm
Featured Artists:
Ruth O’Hara – Harp
Megan O’Neill – Soprano
Make it Special:
Enhance your evening with a pre-concert charcuterie board at our café. Book Here.
Book your tickets now for an evening of musical enchantment in one of Ireland’s most beautiful historic settings.

Tradfest 2025: Harping Now with Lauren Ní Néill & The Martin Family
2025-01-22 12:30 - 14:00 | Castle Hall at Dublin Castle, Dame Street, Dublin 2, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Tradfest 2025: Harping Now with Lauren Ní Néill & The Martin Family

Irish harping has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past 50 years. Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland’s CEO, harper Lauren Ní Néill, chats about its 1000 year old heritage, the efforts to safeguard it, its UNESCO recognition and how harping has integrated with mainstream Irish traditional music. Lauren will be joined by some of our finest young harpers – Jaymee, Ryan and Kayla Martin – who will share their favourite harp tunes and more.
Book here.

Harpissima 2025 at RIAM Dublin | 22-23 February
2025-02-22 - 2025-02-23 | Co. Wicklow
Harpissima 2025
22-23 February 2025
RIAM – Royal Irish Academy of Music
Westland Row, Dublin
The event is open to all harpists and students from across Ireland.
All activities and harp exhibition are FREE OF CHARGE by application online.
Saturday 22 February
1.00pm – Harp Marathon
2.00pm – Workshop with Aisling Ennis (An introduction to arranging and improvising for LEVER HARP
Sunday 23 February
10.00am – Masterclass with Joel Von Lerber
Harp Marathon
4.00pm – Harp Recital, Joel Von Lerber
Including pieces by Renié, Smetana, Connesson, Chertok, and Tchaikovsky.
Harp Exhibition open all weekend
Register at https://www.salvimusic.com/harpissima-europe/
Promoted by Salvi Harps and Lyon & Healy

The Sugar Club Harp Sessions | Harpanno
2025-02-22 20:30 - 22:30 | The Sugar Club, 8 Leeson Street Lower, Dublin, D02 ET97, Ireland
Experience a new ‘take’ on Irish harping from some of our foremost young harpers. Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland’s Sugar Club Harp Sessions continue throughout 2025 and feature innovative, cutting-edge Irish harp performances from a variety of players, pushing the boundaries of the tradition in new and exciting ways.
Our opening concert on Saturday 22nd February features Harpanno, with Irish harper Aisling Lyons joined by Dale McKay and Conor Broderick in a new-age genre of music combining traditional Irish harp and piano with the meditative sound of the handpan. Harpanno’s music is calming, tranquil but yet energetic, and takes you on a journey through newly composed handpan melodies, layered percussion sections, blissful harp riffs and vibrant piano passages.
Harpanno’s début album “Finding Calm” was released in March 2024 and they have since performed at Doolin Folk Fest, The Dunamaise Arts Centre and Cornstown House. Book now for their performance at The Sugar Club, Dublin on Saturday 22nd February 2025.
Support Act: Lily O’Connor
Lily O’Connor is a multi instrumentalist from Ballygriffey Co.Clare. She comes from a rich musical family steeped in tradition and plays regularly with her mother Frances Custy, founder of Custy’s music shop, and sisters Eve and Maisie. She learned to play the concertina from Mary McNamara and Liam O’Brien, and the harp from Fionnuala Rooney. Lily was drawn to the music of east Clare where she was encouraged greatly by the likes of Seamus Bugler and Pat Mullins.
Tickets available here.

Folk on the Moor with Chris Newman and Máire Ní Chathasaigh
2025-02-23 19:30 - 22:00 | Moorland Hotel, Wotter, Wotter, Plymouth, PL7 5HP, United Kingdom
Both musical supremos, Chris Newman and Máire Ní Chathasaigh, combine effortlessly and will wow you with their dexterity and sublime musicianship. Chris’s playing on guitar has variously been described as “utterly breathtaking” (Folk Wales) and “life affirming” (RnR magazine) and Maire as “the doyenne of Irish harp players” (Scotland on Sunday) and “an absolute legend” (The Irish Echo – USA)
“Folk on the Moor” is based at the Moorland Hotel at Wotter, United Kingdom. Event starts at 7.45pm. Find out more.
