Harps Alive | An Chruit Bheo | Harps Leevin
Dublin Programme: 13-20th September 2024
Primary School Harp Recital Series: 9th-13th September | Various Schools
Harpers visit local primary schools to perform and share the harp story; what it’s made from, how many strings it has, its history in ancient Ireland and its importance as our national symbol.
Ceol agus Cruitireacht le hÚna Ní Fhlannagáin
Bunscoil Loreto, Gorey: Dé Céadaoin, 11ú Meán Fómhair
Bígí le hÚna Ní Fhlannagáin agus í ar aistear draíochtúil. Éist le ceol na cruite in éineacht le scéalta móra na hÉireann – smaoinigh ar na sióga, taoisigh agus finscéalta fadó, fadó….
Bygone Times: Harping in Drogheda
St Peter’s Church Drogheda: Friday 13th September, 8pm
Tickets: €15 / €12
1844 – the year that the Irish Harp Society in Drogheda held their Grand Harp Concert featuring performances of Carolan’s airs as well as the music other eminent harper-composers. Revisit the story of the Drogheda Harp School and the music performed 280 years on in St Peter’s Church, Drogheda. Featuring Teresa O’Donnell Gráinne Hambly & William Jackson, Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla & renowned fiddle player, Gerry O’Connor, Cormac de Barra, Adam O’Neill, Eilís Lavelle and the Music Generation Louth Harp Ensemble.
Try your hand at the Early Irish Harp with Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin
City Library, Pearse Street: Saturday 14th September, 11-1pm
Free Event
Level: No harp experience required
Would you like to learn more about, and even get your hands on a copy of an ancient Irish harp – and be taught a tune? Meet the Historical Harp Society of Ireland, hear this rare instrument played, have your questions answered, and – if you sign up early enough – take one of the few places in a hands-on beginners’ workshop. Harps copied from medieval to 18th-century originals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Harping Fun with Sharon Carroll and local Primary Schools in Balbriggan
Irish Institute of Music and Song: Friday 13th September
Free Event
Harper Sharon Carroll delves into the magic of Irish legend and invites children to come along to be spellbound by enchanting harp sounds and intriguing stories. This is an hour out for all the family. You might even have a chance to try out a harp for yourself!
Pop up Harp Performance with the Balbriggan Harp Ensemble
Irish Institute of Music and Song: Saturday 14th September, 12.30pm
Free Event
Come along to the Irish Institute of Music and Song and hear performances by the local harp ensemble, led by Dr Helen Lawlor.
Irish Harp Workshop with Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla
TU Dublin: Saturday 14th September, 12-2pm
Free Event | Registration necessary
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Internationally acclaimed harper Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla invites you to a harp workshop at TU Dublin.
Hear and learn the best of harpers’ music from one of our most renowned harpers.
A Masterclass with Geraldine O’Doherty
TU Dublin: Thursday 19th September, 4.30-6.30pm
Free Event | Registration Necessary
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Join one of Ireland’s leading exponents of pedal harp practice and Principal Harpist with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra Geraldine O’Doherty, as she guides you through its repertoire. Geraldine has premiered and recorded many works by Irish composers including John Buckley, Philip Martin, Eric Sweeney, Gerard Victory, James Wilson, Linda Buckley, Garrett Sholdice, Kevin O’Connell, Anslem McDonnell and Caterina Schembri. She also recorded five albums of new arrangements and transcriptions of music for violin, cello and harp with violinist David O’Doherty and cellist Moya O’Grady. Why not perform a solo piece, and spend time with her working through the music?
The Harpers Connellan:
A Lecture-Recital with Kathleen Loughnane (Harp) and Caitríona Finnegan (Cello)
National Library of Ireland: 14th September, 3pm
Free admission
Join renowned harper and researcher Kathleen Loughnane as she tells us more about the life and times of the Sligo harpers William and Thomas Connellan. Hear arrangements of this 17th century repertoire performed live for harp and cello, and learn about this period of great political and social upheaval in Ireland.
Irish music Meteor Award (2010) nominee Kathleen Loughnane is highly regarded for her work in arranging traditional Irish dance tunes and airs for the harp and also for researching the music of Irish harp composers of the 17th and 18th centuries. Kathleen has 4 CDs and accompanying books to her credit, Affairs of the Harp, Harping On, Harp to Heart and her most recent release The Harpers Connellan. She has taught in Ireland and at major festivals in the US, Japan and throughout Europe. Her arrangements have appeared in various publications and feature on the Harp Syllabus of The Royal Irish Academy of Music. Kathleen is currently researching the manuscripts of Patrick O Neill of Owning, Carrick- on- Suir and making a selection from the manuscript to arrange for Irish harp.
Caitríona Finnegan is a cellist from Dublin, Ireland. She completed a Bachelor of Music at the Royal Danish Academy of Music and graduated with a Masters from the Manhattan School of Music, USA. As well as being a chamber and orchestral musician, she enjoys playing a multitude of genres from classical to folk to traditional and pop music. She has recently worked with the Crash Ensemble, Irish National Opera, The Irish Chamber Orchestra and Music Network and at a range of concerts, festivals and recordings in collaboration with various Irish artists throughout the country.
Pop up Harp Performance at Malahide Castle with Flúirse
Saturday 14th September, 1pm
Free Admission
Hear sounds of the Irish harp echo throughout Malahide Castle with a pop-up performance from Flúirse.
Placing second at Gael Linn’s Siansa Competition in 2024, this group of talented young musicians from Co. Laois will showcase traditional music at its finest.
Harps Alive | An Chruit Bheo | Harps Leevin
Belfast Programme: 10-15th June 2024
Tickets for all events available here.
Friday 14th June 2024, 8pm
Connecting Harps : Belfast and Beyond
featuring Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín, Gráinne Hambly and William Jackson, and Catriona McKay and Chris Stout
St George’s Church, Belfast
Dé hAoine 14ú Meitheamh, 12 – 2in
Ceol sa Chaifé le Ciara Taaffe
Caife Ceoil, Áras Mhic Reachtain
Dé Satharn 15ú Meitheamh 2024, 11 – 12in
Ceol agus Cruitireacht le Mairéad Comer
Culturlann McAdam Ó Fiach
Saturday 15th June 2024, 11 – 12pm
Harping is Fun : A Harp Workshop for children (in English) with Katy Bustard
Shankill Road Library
Saturday 15th June 2024, 11 – 1pm
A Masterclass with Tanya Houghton
First Presbyterian Church
Saturday 15th June 2024, 1.30 – 2pm
Lunchtime Harp Recital with Tanya Houghton
First Presbyterian Church
Saturday 15th June 2024, 11 – 12pm
The Blind Harpers with William Jackson
The Linen Hall Library
Saturday 15th June 2024, 12-1pm
Try your Hand at the Early Irish Harp with Aoibheann Devlin
The Linen Hall Library
Saturday 15th June 2024, 3 – 5pm
Irish Harp Workshop with Gráinne Hambly
St Joseph’s Church, Sailortown
Saturday 15th June 2024, 2.30 – 3.30pm
Manifestation at the Assembly Rooms with a live harp performance
Assembly Rooms
Saturday 15th June 2024, 11 – 1pm
Pop-up harp performance at 2 Royal Avenue
2 Royal Avenue
Monday – Friday 10th – 14th June 2024
Hands on Harps School Workshop Series with Mairéad Comer, Ciara Taaffe and Sharon Carroll, taking place in primary schools in Belfast.
