Harps from all Corners - Programme

• A CÉHI commission for harp and aerialist where pioneering harper Aisling Ennis joins with aerialist Emily Aoibheann to present a work of startling beauty called An Ghiorria (The Hare).
• A collaboration with Music Generation Cork teams Louth harper Donncha Hughes with a group of vibrant young rap artists from the Kabin − a 21^st century interpretation of the ancient relationship between the harper and the poet.
• Harps at the Border: The intrepid Music Generation Louth harp ensemble, led by Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla, record on two locations at Carlingford Lough & Flagstaff Viewpoint.  Zoe Conway and John McIntyre are joined by 12 harpers to perform Ómós do Shéamuis (composed by Zoe Conway and John McIntyre) in memory of Séamus Heaney.
• Harp Trios take to the stage at Queen’s University Belfast showing the harp’s ever-growing popularity in the north. Featuring Gráinne Meyer, Rhian Hansen, Richard Allen, Adam O’Neill, Eilís Lavelle & Lauren O’Neill.
• Tuning in from the outdoors in Co.Cork is Fiachra Ó Corragáin performing The Enchanted Valley, The Musical Priest and Clann Lir.
• Renowned harper and TG4 Ceoltóir na Bliana 2020, Laoise Kelly, joins us from Achill International Harp Festival for a set of reels; ‘Frank Gilruth’ & ‘Charlie Hardie’.
• All the way from the US comes the Monarch Project; an ambitious pre-recorded project from harpers there, inspired by the Monarch butterfly’s tripartite, migratory-life cycle and composed by award-winning early harper, Ann Heyman and arranged by harper Marta Cook.
• The Alpine Garden at Sligo’s Lissadell House inspires a special performance featuring some of harper Michael Rooney’s music from the De Cuéllar Suite and Constance. Both suites of music commemorate and reflect upon the symbolic history of Sligo. Michael is joined by Sligo harpers Niamh McGloin & Elsa Kelly.
• Prepare to have your curiosity whetted when you see art and technology collide at a performance of early harp, modern Irish Harp and laser harp in the harmonious setting of UCD’s Evolution Garden showing the development of the harping tradition over the past 1000 years with the spotlight on the laser harp; a collaboration between Intel, UCD Explore and Harp Ireland featuring harpers Cormac DeBarra, Siobhán Armstrong & Rachel Duffy.
• The Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) marks Lá na Cruite Harp Day with a specially commissioned illustrated documentary about the collection of renowned harper, Gráinne Yeats and its unfolding riches. Featuring Cormac DeBarra, Siobhán Armstrong, Fiona Gryson & Rachel Duffy.
• The magnificent harp/guitar duo featuring harper Máire Ní Chathasaigh and guitarist/mandolinist Chris Newman tune in from Leeds, UK
• Mayo harpers Gráinne Hambly &, Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín are joined by Séamus Ó Flatharta from Connemara to showcase the best of the west of Ireland harping at Ballintubber Abbey.
• Wales comes calling with the doyenne of Welsh harpist Elinor Bennett giving us 2 Welsh tunes.
• Joining us all the way from London is Jean Kelly with two tunes arranged by her Grandfather TC Kelly.
• We teamed up with the World Academy of Irish Music & Dance at the University of Limerick for a collaboration featuring the incredibly talented Michelle & Louise Mulcahy.
• Our Celtic cousins in Scotland join us for a very special performance as we mark the joint 40th anniversary of Edinburgh International Harp Festival and the 90th anniversary of the Clarsach Society.
• Siblings Aisling & Séan Lyons take to the stage in the Irish Chamber Orchestra Studio at the University of Limerick.

Harpers' Pride - Programme

• Harper Meabh McKenna performs ‘Róis Bheag Dhubh’ a piece collected by Bunting from the harper Daniel Black in 1792.
• We teamed up with the World Academy of Irish Music & Dance at the University of Limerick for two top-class collaborations featuring Niamh O’Brien & Aisling Urwin, and Fiana Ní Chonaill & Susan Coleman.
• Harper Rosie Murphy features with a fantastic performance of Aisling Lí Ban.
• Joining us all the way from Tokyo is our good friend and harper Junshi Murakami performing his compositions ‘EQNX’, ‘Physalis’ & ‘Peacock Gardens’.
• Filmed on location in Co. Fermanagh at Lough Erne is Sylvia Crawford’s performance and arrangement of  Carolan’s Eleanor Plunkett (Madam Keil) and Caitlín Triail (Kitty Tyrrell).
• Alannah Thornburgh features with a beautiful rendition of Kean O’Hara & Apple Blossoms.
• Harper Luke Webb tunes in from Bristol, UK performing four of his own compositions; ‘Freedoms Call’, ‘Mamó’, ‘Filleadh’, and The Unity Reel.
• Harper Sophie Ryan joins us from University College Cork for a solo performance of ‘Planxty Robert Jordan’ by Carolan.

Harpers' Gathering - Programme

• Harpers studying at The Irish World Academy of Music & Dance at University of
  Limerick play their own arrangement of ‘Sally Gally’. Harpers include Kieva
  McGonagle, Cieara Kilkenny, Anna Eggersberger, Helena Doyle, Karen van Rekum,
  and Jill Devlin.
• Gráinne Meyer, Adam O’Neill and Ciara Taaffe came together in The Harty
  Room at Queen’s University to perform ‘The Black Rose’ and ‘The Bundoran Junction’
  by Patrick Davey, both arranged by Gráinne Hambly.
• The Sparkling Strings Harp Ensemble embrace the great outdoors at Kanturk Castle,
  County Cork, led by Damhnait Sweeney. Harpers include Ava Hynes, Isobel Hynes,
  Jack Quirke, Laura O’Connor, Sarah O’Keeffe, Yasmine O’Sullivan.
• Rachel Duffy, Síofra Ní Dhubhghaill and Fiona Gryson join us from the Highlanes
  Gallery in collaboration with An Chúirt Chruitreachta International Festival.
• Wales Harp Festival showcases the magnificent TU Dublin Conservatoire Harp
  Ensemble in a special recording from the TU Conservatoire building in
  Grangegorman, taken during the pandemic.
• Damhnait Sullivan’s Glissando Harp Ensemble featuring Abaigeal Walsh, Aoife Ahern,
  Ellen DE Burca, Kiely Lehane and Eimear McDonagh perform Planxty George
  Brabazon and The Butterfly.

Harpers’ Escape Play-Along

Our partners at the US Somerset Harp Festival, led by Kathy DeAngelo are planning to join with us in a play-along anchored by harper Gráinne Hambly in Ireland and well-known American harpers. 3pm ET/ 8pm GMT.

Join in: https://bit.ly/Somerset_Play_Along

Playlist: HarpDayPlaylist

Hands on Harps! presented by Dr Karen Loomis

To celebrate Lá na Cruite | Harp Day, the Historical Harp Society of Ireland are offering a free live 75-minute Zoom workshop at 3pm on Saturday 16th October.

This hands-on early Irish harp workshop will explore where historical harpers placed their hands on their harps, and how you can use that information to inform your own playing style. Suitable for all levels.

Sign up now:  https://irishharp.org/news/free-online-workshop-for-national-harp-day