Celebrating Harps | Ceiliúradh Cruitireachta
This grand finale  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.

Composer, harper and producer Maeve Gilchrist 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 at riam.ie

Lunchtime Concert with Cathy Potter, Deirdre O’Brien.
Come along to this free lunchtime concert featuring the cream of local harping talent.

See glór.ie for more

Early Irish Harp Recital with Eibhlís Ní Riordáin at Greystones Library.

Free admission, no booking required.
In partnership with Wicklow County Council

Harp Day, Belfast presents Open String featuring Amy McAllister, Úna Monaghan, Saoirse Van Merkom and Gráinne Meyer.
Adm free

Yoga Class with Sue Redmond. Music accompaniment by Aisling Lyons (harp) and Simon O’Reilly (pedal steel)
Free Event

SOLD OUT

‘Early Irish Harp’ Talk & Demonstration by harper & harp maker Paul Dooley.
Free Event

Reserve a spot at Eventbrite.ie

Try the Harp with Aisling Lyons
Limited to 10-minute slots. Harps provided.

SOLD OUT

Evening Concert with Paul Dooley, Kseniya Rusnak & Aisling Lyons and local harp students.

Reserve a spot at Eventbrite.ie

3.30pm – 4.30pm: Free ensemble workshop with Siobhan Buckley

5.00pm: Concert featuring Siobhan Buckley and local harpers.
Free Event

Contemporary Words and music with Poet James Harpur Harpers Anne-Marie Papin, Eimear McDonagh & Glissando

Free Admin

In partnership with Cork County Council

A mix of Irish music and movie classics!

“Harpers in the Honan” concert, a celebration of harping

At 7.30pm, renowned musicians Aoife & Deirdre Granville, and Tríona Marshall, supported by the UCC Harp Ensemble, present an unmissable concert. Admission is free, but tickets can be reserved through ticketsource.eu. Donations are welcome at the door.

Irish Harp Workshop with Tríona Marshall, 1-2pm, UCC

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.

Pop- harp performances at:

Ladies Beach, Salthill, 11am (Ann Fitzpatrick & Dara Ryan)

The Red Earl’s Hall, 11.30-1.30pm Máirín Ní Dhonnchadha (poet) and harpers Kathleen Loughnane and Catriona Cannon. Includes a Hands on Harps taster session.

Connemara National Park, 1.30pm with Caitriona Moskovskova

Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, 2-3pm with Máire Ní Chróinín

Aughnanure Castle, Oughterard, 2-4pm with Natalie Surina

The Crane Bar, 6-7pm with Kathleen Loughnane, Catriona Cannon, Cian Finn and Caitríona Ní hAlmhain

This programme was made possible by the support of The Galway City Arts Office.

2-5pm Harp Ensemble Workshop with Holly Geraghty

5pm Harp Day Concert featuring Holly Geraghty, Siobhán Buckley and the Music Generation Laois Harp Ensemble

In partnership with Laois County Council

10.30am, 11.30am: Carolan Pop Up  Join renowned harper Aisling Ennis at Russborough House, and let the harp music of Carolan accompany your visit.

Places are limited, please email events@russborough.ie to book your place.

2pm: Pop-up performance with Claire O’Donnell and the Kylemore College Music Centre Harp Ensemble,
and Rachel Duffy and the Bray Harp Ensemble

3pm: Hands on Harps with Rachel Duffy and Claire O’Donnell. No Booking required.

In partnership with Wicklow County Council

Harps in Schools with Padraic Collins at King House, Boyle
10.30-12.30pm: Irish Harp Workshop with Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín
1-2pm: Hands on Harps Session with
Emma Benson and Elisabeth Affolter
3-4pm: Remembering Carolan: A Lecture-Recital with Teresa O’Donnell
5pm: Harp Day Recital (Adm. €10)
Featuring Teresa O’Donnell, Emma Benson,
Music Generation Leitrim and Roscommon Harp Ensembles.

Tickets available from King House 071 966 3242 or at the door.

10am: Pop-up Dundalk Post Office, Clanbrassil St
with Aisling Glenholmes & Grace Connolly
11am: Dundalk Credit Union (Market St.)
with Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla
12pm: Dundalk Library with Jaymee, Ryan & Kayla Martin
12pm: Dundalk Credit Union with Rachael Dooley
2-3pm: Performance at Marshes Shopping Centre, with
MGL Harp Ensemble, Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla & Rachael Dooley
3-4pm: ‘Hands on Harp’ Session at Marshes Shopping Centre
with Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla & Rachael Dooley
3:30pm: Performance and ‘Hands on Harp’ Session with Jennifer Leahy and MGL harp students at the Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda

Pop-up Harp Performances

Pop up performances: the Hill of Tara at 11am; Ashbourne Library at 1.30pm; Hands on Harps Session at 2.30pm. Fiona Gryson and the Fingal Harp Ensemble, Inetola Harp Ensemble.

Nobber Heritage Centre, 2pm: Sharon Carroll and the Music Generation Meath Harp Ensemble 

Solstice Arts Centre, 1.30pm: Jennifer Leahy and the Boyne Harp Ensemble 

Harpers Sharon Carroll, Jennifer Leahy and Fiona Gryson will also visit schools across the county to tell them more about the Irish harp and play a few tunes!

In partnership with Meath County Council

2:00 – 3:00pm Junior Harp Ensemble Workshop with Alisha McMahon
3:00 – 4:30pm Junior Rehearsal with Sabina McCague & Eilís Lavelle
Senior Ensemble Workshop with Alisha McMahon
4:30 – 5:30pm Combined Junior & Senior Rehearsal with Eilís Lavelle & Sabina McCague

Reserve a spot

In partnership with Cavan County Council

Ed Reavy Traditional Music Concert. Tickets €15.

Book online at ticketsolve.ie

In partnership with Cavan County Council

Informal fun harp session with Marina Biddy Blyth and Killarney Harp Club.
Bring your harp, friends & family.
Enjoy a morning playing harp music together.
It’s a lot of fun and sounds gorgeous Free Admission.

In association with Harp Ireland, Cruit Éireann and Kerry County Council Arts Office.

10am: Harp Yoga at the Fresco room, An Diseart, Dingle with live harp accompaniment by Deirdre Granville.

Tickets from Eventbrite.

1pm: Free lunchtime concert at An Diseart Chapel featuring Reidun Schlesinger, Deirdre Granville, Hamish O Carroll, Cruitirí na Ríocht, an t-amhránaí Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich agus go leor eile.  Free Admission.

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.

Evening Recital with Hamish O Carroll, Cruitirí Óga Lios Tuathail and special guests.

Free admission.

Harp Workshop with Suzanne Quille

11.30am – 12.30pm This workshop is suited for beginner-intermediate level players. Reserve a spot.

Harp Try-Out

12.30 – 1.30pm. Join us on Harp Day for a casual harp try-out event where you can play a harps and maybe even learn a thing or two about playing this. Reserve a spot.

Join harpist Ruth O’Hara & students for an afternoon of harp music. A programme to include Irish trad, classical, film & pop music.

Some pieces on the programme:
The Butterfly – Traditional Irish
Happy Days Hornpipe – Ruth O’Hara
Kejadenn – Gwenael Kerleo
Feuilles d’Automne – A. Hasselmans
Birds Of A Feather – Billie Eilish
Come Little Children – Hocus Pocus – John Debney
Carolan’s Concerto – O’Carolan

Headline Concert

Don Stiffe & Hernon Family ​Current All-Ireland Champions: Hannah Lyons, Harp and Ryan Sheridan, Accordion

Doors: 7:30pm Adults: €15 plus booking fee ​Children under 18 FREE at the door

Book here

Advanced Harp & Intermediate Harp ​with Laoise Kelly / Michael Rooney ​

With thanks to Cruit Éireann, Harp Ireland these workshops are Free of Charge

SOLD OUT

Free Lunchtime Recital

The Music Generation Mayo Harp Ensemble under the direction of Grainne Hambly and William Jackson

Current Senior All-Ireland Champion, Hannah Lyons will also play during the recital while harp marker Graham Wright will be on hand to offer advice on harp repairs, general upkeep and purchasing harps.

Find out more: https://www.foxfordtraditionalweekend.com/

Performance Masterclass with Michael Rooney  Rooney has composed several celebrated works and his mastery of the harp and his unique compositional style have earned him numerous awards, including the prestigious TG4 Composer of the Year award in 2017.  This class is open to proficient musicians, who are well able to play reels and jigs by ear.

Places are limited and booking is essential. Aged Over 15 ONLY. €20 plus booking fee.

Book tickets here

‘Hands on Harp’ Taster Class.

Have you always wanted to try the harp? Would you like to hear, learn more about and even have a go? Now’s your chance!

Book here

Free lecture-recital by Laoise Kelly, on harper Hugh Higgins (1737-1796), will be most beautiful. Hugh Higgins, ‘a harper of distinction’, was born in the Barony of Tirawley in county Mayo. His attendance at the celebrated Belfast Harp festival in 1792 ensured part of his repertoire survives. From harper Arthur O’Neill’s memoirs Higgins was an ‘Irish gentleman-harper, uncommonly genteel in his manners, and as to his dress … he spared no expense in purchasing clothes. He travelled in such a manner as does and will do credit to an Irish Harper’. With historic references, anecdotes and tunes a picture of the persona of harper Hugh Higgins unfolds. This will be a one hour lecture-recital. FREE EVENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH HARP IRELAND

Reserve a place here

Féile Concert

Bríd Harper, Dermot Byrne & Steve Cooney June McCormack & Michael Rooney, Eoin O’Donnell, Moffatt School of Dance Doors: 7:30pm Adults: €15 plus booking fee Child: €5 ​plus booking fee The concert promises to be a night you won’t want to miss.

Please note the Féile Concert is usually a sell-out so please get your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Book Here

10am : Meet in Moville Town centre with your harps and play for all to hear and spread the sound of the harp – We have a marquee so this can happen with or without rain! Also we will be offering passer-bys a chance to ‘come and try’ the harp.

11am : Head for hot chocolates and treats, provided by us, to celebrate and warm up!

Sophie Ní Riain at
Tallaght Library. Sit back, relax and hear the sounds of our almost 1000-
year-old Irish harping tradition.

Reserve a spot

‘Soothing Sounds’ presents a recital of harp music by Teresa and Mary Louise O’Donnell in the Atrium of the hospital

Join Claire O’Donnell, The Kylemore College Harp Ensemble and friends for a pop-up harp performance!

Lunchtime recital of harp music with leading harp players Dr Helen Lawlor and Aoibheann Galvin. Also featuring the emerging talents of the IIMS Harp Ensemble and IIMS Music Academy students.

Free tickets available through the website here.

Pop-Up Performance from TU Dublin Harp Ensemble

Cairde na Cruite presents Pop-up Concert at RIAM:

Join us for an afternoon of inspirational harp playing.

Admission free

Cairde na Cruite present a harp concert to celebrate Lá na Cruite/Harp Day.
Saturday 19/10/24, 3pm
Pearse Museum, St Enda’s Park, Rathfarnham, D16Y7Y5
Admission free. Fáilte roimh cách.

Featuring rising stars of the harp and special guest artist, internationally renowned harpist Tríona Marshall. Tríona has played and toured extensively with the Chieftains since 2003 and has collaborated in highly acclaimed performances with numerous artists.

To make a booking please email pearsemuseum@opw.ie or call 01 493 4208

Lunchtime concert  featuring the Wexford Harp Ensemble directed by Aileen Kennedy and the Mothers and Others and Dads and Lads Ensembles.

If you can’t make it, why not listen in on the church webcam? Watch here

Pop Up Perfromance with Shelly O’Grady and Cláirsí Neamhaí 

Emerging harper Úna Walsh celebrates Lá na Cruite | Harp Day with a Hands on Harps Session in Barntown National School

Sligo Music Generation Harp Ensemble performs a program of Irish trad music

Join harp students and tutors of the Armagh Pipers Club to celebrate Lá na Cruite | Harp Day

Join the Mullingar Harp Ensemble for a pop-up performance.

The Derry Harp Ensemble in Gorta – Swatragh’s Famine Story Visitor Centre. Everyone is welcome, bring along your harp!

One hour celebration of tunes and stories about the harp with Sharon Carroll and local harpers

A short performance in the RNCM Atrium with the junior RNCM harpists on Sat 19th October.

Lucy Nolan will lead a Young Harps Workshop on Sunday 20th October, where participants will also be treated to a performance by the senior RNCM harpists.

Harp Day at Tyneside Irish Festival with Fiana Ní Chonaill

Find out more

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.

The Ohio Renaissance Festival presents esteemed Harpist Jay Michaels at Saint Peter’s Church at Noon and 2 pm.

He will also perform with a small ensemble from 5 – 6 pm at The Tipsy Cauldron stage.

https://renfestival.com/
JayMichaelsHarp.com

Harp Workshop with Úna Ní Fhlannagáin

Email to register your place una@una.ie

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 Harps 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

Performances from harpists Jean Kelly, Tara Viscardi, Mara McNamee and the ICC Harp Ensemble.

Free adm

Find out more

HARPERS’ CALL #1 with Sahoco, Hideshi & Anan, Victoria Gladka, Maeve Coyle, Sister Collette and Marina Biddy Blyth, Harpeggio, Harpers Bizarre, Clare Toale, Daisy Smyth, Aifric O’Brien and Ramona Sakalauskaite, Ashlynn O’Sullivan, Bláthnaid Kearney, Caoilfhionn Dempsey, Chloe Daly, Blåveis, Cara Steele, Anna Spóz-Parol, Marchesa LIU Tsz Yau, Kwok Ching Yin Stephanie

HARPERS’ CALL #2 with Soomee Han, Aoibhe, Brionna, Michelle, Leah, Fállon, Úna Walsh, Ria Adachi, Anna Amigó, Éabha, Eilís, Einin, Ellie, Meábh Cribbin, Harpeggio, Liam, Emily, Harpeggio, Highly Strung Harp Ensemble, Sarah Nicholas

HARPERS’ CALL #3 with Machiko, Aisling Urwin, Cian, Ruri, Maebh, Glenda, Michelle, Gerdes, Floriane, Elisa, Anam, Derry, Aoibhe, Elsa, Glengormley School of Traditional Music, Emma, Mary, Kathy DeAngelo

HARPERS’ CALL #4 with HHSI, Hannah Nic Eindrí, Hollie French, Jacomien ten Teije, Machiko Ooka & 44 Harpers from Hiroshima, Maddy Gregg, Marina Arcan, Michelle Paris, Molly Keogh, Nina Wagner & Marina Biddy Blyth, Raenah Kearney

HARPERS’ CALL #5 with Kate and Ciara, Nina Wagner, Aurora Faustino, Kieu, Jérémy, Jordan, Julia, Lenka Fairy, Bláthnaid, Álainn, Jean, Grace, Katie and Nicole, Ciara, Harpeggio, Meabh, Rachele, Aodhamair, Heartland Harp Ensemble with Lorinda Jones

HARPERS’ CALL #6 with Aoibhe & Marina, Alice, Ensemble Compagnia del Piccolo Popolo, Álainn, Alice, Catherine, Katie, Tiffany Baker, Andreea, Amy, Dennis Doyle, Victoria, Pei Xi Saoirse, Ossian, Faolan, Ruby, Michelle, Amelia, Adam, Rónán

HARPERS’ CALL #7 with AJ, Anna, Barbara, Eva, Hallisson, Harpistry, Leanne & Conor Page, Mary-Grace Lee, Melanie, Muireann, Niamh, Oonagh, Pearl, Peggy, Ruby, Sheila, Sigrid, The Quiet Pie Pickers, Zee

HARPERS’ CALL #8 with Emma, Leanne Page, The New England Irish Harp Orchestra, Emily, Marie, Maria, Barbara, David, Maria, Maggie, Lorinda Jones with John Skelton, Fiona, Jay Michaels, Kathy Pepers

HARPERS’ CALL #9 with Marta Cook, Sadhbh Mannix & Marina Biddy Blyth, Matthew Tran-Adams, Rayana do Val, Ruth Lydon, The New England Irish Harp Orchestra, Tracy, Tiffany Schaefer & Edith, Jaymee, Kayla, Ryan, Lucile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZVZXJ1DVJg