National Harp Day 2017
What they Said...A thoroughly enjoyable day for all involved and we are all looking forward to similar days in the future.
Eilís Lavelle, Armagh
The event in Dingle was very successful…and we hope to have a much bigger event next year. Comhgháirdeachas le gach duine i Harp Ireland/Cruit Éireann. Ag súil go mór le Lá na Cruite 2018
Deirdre Granville, Dingle
Galway celebrated National Harp Day under the newly-formed national organisation Cruit Eireann/Harp Ireland with a full and appreciative audience for the complete programme at the Galway Museum.
The harp-makers exhibition was fully attended… with Callan and Eiriú Harps being showcased. This was followed with an excellent lecture on the history of the Irish harp from medieval to modern…with music examples on the brass strung harp and the gut strung harp.
Kathleen Loughnane, Galway
We had a brilliant day. Really good fun with the harp session down here in Killarney! 23 harpers…from tiny tots to seniors…This was a very successful event, supporting, promoting, inspiring and celebrating the harp and harpers in Ireland. You couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. One giant positive step has been made in the harping community. An historic event for sure!
Biddy Marina Blyth, Killarney
Lá na Cruite is a unique and important musical event, and I am delighted that the Irish World
Academy has participated. Harp performance and research has been important to the Academy since its inception, and this national celebration is testament to the strength of interest in this iconic instrument.
Sandra Joyce and Fiana Ní Chonaill, Limerick
Members of the Music Generation Louth Harp ensemble performed at the Annual SMEI conference in DKIT. On National Harp Day, The MG Louth Senior Harp Ensemble performed at the annual Trad na Samhna Concert in Drogheda’s Barbican Centre, run by Drogheda Comhaltas, where there were approximately 300 members of the public in attendance. We got a fantastic response. Take a bow everybody!
Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla, Music Generation, Dundalk
The packed Westport Town Hall gave a standing ovation to the Music Generation Mayo harp ensemble and also the five harpers following the finale …
The audience, young and old could ‘give the harp a go’ in the foyer of the theatre with recently made Achill Harps from the festival, and read literature about the harp and purchase CDs and books of harp music…next year will be even bigger with the overwhelming success for the first ever National HarpDay.
Gráinne Hambly. Westport
National Harp Day 2017 was most certainly a day to be remembered in County Wexford. Pop up concerts all over the County…a harp recital given to a full house by members of Wexford Harp Ensemble/Cruitirí Loch Garman in Wexford Arts Centre…resounding success…received a standing ovation. We look forward to National Harp Day 2018.
Aileen Kennedy, Wexford
We had our first ever Harpathon in the Lexacon in Dún Laoghaire for Lá na Cruite. For four hours, the library was filled with harp music as harpers of all ages performed in a huge variety of styles. We had pedal harps, Irish harps, early Irish harp and singing too. The audience loved it and we got loads of ‘passer-by’ interest.
Rachel Duffy, Dún Laoghaire
We got a packed house in ITMA for Triona, Anne-Marie and Michelle. Mesmerising performances and an enthusiastic response from everybody.
Aibhlín McCrann, Dublin
It was lovely to perform in the Powerscourt Centre; there was a great buzz and it really profiled the harp. We’re looking forward to next National Harp Day.
Fiona Gryson, DIT Harp Ensemble, Dublin
Harpers gathered in two locations in Mullingar to celebrate the harp; we got good audience participation and lots of interest in learning how to play the harp.
Anita O Brien, Mullingar
Music Generation Laois marked National Harp Day with a concert in the beautiful surroundings of Emo Court, featuring virtuoso harpist Catriona McKay (Scotland), Nickleharpist Olaf Johansson (Sweden) and the Music Generation Laois Senior Harp Ensemble. We have worked with Catriona many times over the past few years, and we were delighted that she could be with us on such an important day.
Rosa Flannery, Music Generation Laois
We were absolutely delighted that BHO25 Reunion was suggested as an event to represent Northern Ireland at Ireland’s first ‘National Harp Day’. It was lovely to meet up again and to evaluate the legacy of the BHO in terms of establishing harping in Northern Ireland in the 1980s and ‘90s. Thanks to the University of Ulster who very graciously hosted us.
Janet Harbison
A splendid lecture/recital about the Egan family at an equally splendid venue. What a gift to combine intellectual knowledge with musical skill and ease of delivery. This lecture transformed my view of the harp, thank you!
Feedback from a Lecture/recital by Mary Louise and Teresa O’Donnell at the Royal Irish Academy, Dawson Street, Dublin
