Cruit Éireann, Harp Ireland, is a collective of harp players working together to promote our national instrument, gain recognition for its unique status and secure its sustainability. Enabling inclusive contemporary expression of our 1000-year-old harp tradition is at the heart of what we do.

Many thanks to all our supporters who rallied to our call for support to gain UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage inscription for Irish harp playing. You will be pleased to know that we have already been placed on the National Inventory for Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In the meantime, our UNESCO submission has taken the first step. It will be returned to us in June 2018 for further clarification, if any, and the process will continue for the next eighteen months. If we are successful, the announcement will be made in December 2019. Your many letters and good wishes were heartfelt and we were delighted with the response.

Míle buíochas.

Please indicate your support by signing our petition at https://www.change.org/p/harp-ireland-irish-harp-on-unesco-s-representative-list-of-the-intangible-cultural-heritage-of-humanity

Lá na Cruite, National Harp Day
Lá na Cruite, National Harp Day
Who We Are
What We Do
How We Work

About Us

Cruit Éireann, Harp Ireland, was established in 2016 by harpers in collaboration with The Arts Council, An Chomhairle Ealaíon to support the continuing evolution of the harp. We are the driving force behind the harp in Ireland. We are ambitious for its future. We promote the harp, its organisations, its harp players and its harp makers. Our vision for the harp is that it will continue its current momentum - attracting more performers and new audiences and enrich Irish musical and cultural life.

What We Do

We acknowledge the harp’s diversity; we encourage a breadth of harp repertoire and performance, while recognising the wide variety of repertoire and performance styles that the harp has reflected for hundreds of years.

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What’s On
Clare June 10 - 1, 2018
Harbison Harp Weeks

10 - 17 June, 17 - 24 June, 24 June - 1 July in Kilfenora, Co. Clare

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Louth July 1 - 6, 2018
Cáirde na Cruite: An Chúirt Chruitireachta

International Harp Festival for Irish Harp, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth

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Mayo July 1 - 6, 2018
Seosamh MacGabhann Summer School

Kilmovee, Co. Mayo

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Clare July 7 - 15, 2018
Willie Clancy Summer School

Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare

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Sligo July 15 - 21, 2018
Sligo Summer School

Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo

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Aran Islands July 15 - 22, 2018
Inisheer Harp Summer School

With Janet Harbison

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View all events

Lá na Cruite, National Harp Day

Did you know that there are currently more than 1000 harp players in Ireland? Harp Ireland, Cruit Éireann’s first major initiative was to hold a national harp day to celebrate this wonderful upsurge of interest in the instrument, introducing it to even more players and to new audiences and recognise the harp’s unique place in Irish musical and cultural life. Harp events took place at a number of key venues in cities and towns nationwide including Belfast, Dublin, Mayo, Galway, Limerick, Laois, Louth, Meath and Wexford.

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