Harp Ireland

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | BELFAST | Try Your Hand at the Early Irish Harp
2023-09-30 11:00 - 13:00 (Europe/Dublin) | First Presbyterian Church 41 Rosemary Street Belfast BT1 1QB
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | Try Your Hand at the Early Irish Harp with Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin
First Presbyterian Church, 41 Rosemary Street
30th September 11am
Free Admission | Donations welcome

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.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/try-your-hand-at-the-early-irish-harp-with-eibhlis-ni-riordain-tickets-722638038827?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&keep_tld=1

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | BELFAST | Film Screening: Beart Bunting
2023-09-30 11:30 - 13:00 | Linen Hall Library, 17 Donegall Square North Belfast BT1 5GB, Belfast, BT1 5GB, United Kingdom
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | BELFAST | Film Screening: Beart Bunting
Linen Hall Library
Saturday 30 September, 11.45-12.45pm
Free Admission | Donations welcome
Beart Bunting, directed by Deaglán Ó Mochain. Six of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians join with Strabane Brass Band to explore and perform a neglected part of the Edward Bunting collection – a manuscript of mainly military music such as regimental marches, retreats and quick-steps collected alongside traditional Irish airs and tunes – reflecting the turbulent political reality of Ireland before and after the 1798 rebellion.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/film-screening-beart-bunting-tickets-722185234477?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&keep_tld=1

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | BELFAST | Scéalta agus Cruitireacht le Úna Ní Fhlannagáin
2023-09-30 13:00 - 14:00 | Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | BELFAST | Scéalta agus Cruitireacht le Úna Ní Fhlannagáin
Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, Béal Feirste
Dé Sathairn, 30 Mean Fomhair, 1-2 i.n.
Saor in Aisce | Fáilte roimh shíntiúis dheonacha
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….
Ceardlann spraoi do theaghlaigh agus do pháistí.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scealta-agus-cruitireacht-le-una-ni-fhlannagain-tickets-722187711887?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&keep_tld=1

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | BELFAST | Harping Fun with Sharon Carroll
2023-09-30 13:00 - 14:00 | Turas, Belfast
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | BELFAST | Harping Fun with Sharon Carroll
Saturday 30 September, 1-2pm
Turas, Belfast
Free Admission | Donations welcome
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!
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/harping-fun-with-sharon-carroll-tickets-722191924487?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&keep_tld=1

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | BELFAST | Edward Bunting: Illuminating his Legacy
2023-09-30 13:00 - 14:00 | Linen Hall Library, 17 Donegall Square North Belfast BT1 5GB, Belfast, BT1 5GB, United Kingdom
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | Edward Bunting: Illuminating his Legacy
Linenhall Library, Belfast
30th September 1pm
Free Admission | Donations Welcome
Dr Mary Louise O‘Donnell sets the scene for musical life in Dublin and the role that Edward Bunting played in it between 1818-43. Living in Dublin’s Baggot St, he held posts as organist at St Stephen’s Church/The Pepper Canister in Mount St Crescent and, later at St George’s in Hardwicke Place. He was also involved in the Dublin Harmonic Institution, all the time working and advocating for his harpers’ music to be published. Mary will be joined by her sister, harper Teresa O’Donnell for this fascinating illustrated lecture.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/edward-bunting-illuminating-his-legacy-tickets-724368635087?aff=oddtdtcreator

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | BELFAST | Citizens' Manifestation
2023-09-30 14:30 - 15:30 | Assembly Rooms, Belfast, Waring Street, Belfast, BT1 2DX, Ireland
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | BELFAST | Citizens’ Manifestation
Saturday 30 September, 2.30pm
The Assembly Rooms, Belfast
Admission Free | Donations Welcome
The Assembly Rooms at the junction of North Street and Waring Street is the oldest public building in Belfast, dating back to 1769. It was here that the celebrated Assembly of Harpers took place in 1792. It lay at the centre of eighteenth century social life. It was here that the Belfast Harbour Commissioners were established, and here that Belfast’s citizens rejected a proposal to set up a slave trading company. United Irish leader, Henry Joy McCracken was court-martialled here, prior to his execution in 1798.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/citizens-manifestation-tickets-722199487107?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | BELFAST | Harps Together Concert
2023-09-30 17:30 - 19:30 | First Presbyterian Church 41 Rosemary Street Belfast BT1 1QB
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | Harps Together Concert
First Presbyterian Church, 41 Rosemary Street
30th September 5.30pm
£12 | https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harps-together-tickets-722202375747?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Harps Alive | An Chruit Bheo | Harps Leevin festival showing the exciting trajectory of harping at the present time. Éibhlís Ní Ríordáin showcases music from the Bunting Collection on early Irish harp, the Northern Stars Trio, Adam O’Neill, Gráinne Meyer and Ciara Taaffe platform new arrangements for Irish harp in a contemporary way. The TU Dublin Harp Ensemble join forces with The Antrim-based Elver Harp Ensemble in the premiere of a Cruit Éireann| Harp Ireland commissioned arrangement by harper-composer Gráinne Meyer for the inaugural performance of The Harps Alive Ensemble. TG4 Musician of the Year 2020, harper Laoise Kelly and uilleann piper, Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn showcase music for harp and pipes. Not to be missed!

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | BELFAST | Harping Late
2023-09-30 20:00 - 22:00 | The Deer’s Head, 1-3 Lower Garfield Street, Belfast BT1 1FP, BT1 1FP, United Kingdom
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | BELFAST | Harping Late
Saturday 30 September, 8pm
The Deer’s Head, Belfast
Admission Free | Donations Welcome
Wind down after a jam-packed day of harping for some refreshments and relaxed chat amongst new friends. Some familiar harping faces will help you along the way!
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harping-late-tickets-722208443897?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Dublin Festival of History: A Celebration of Edward Bunting: his life music and legacy
2023-10-05 06:30 - 19:30 | Co. Roscommon
This concert celebrates Bunting’s music, life and legacy. Music and songs from Bunting’s three collections of Irish music are interwoven with extracts from his personal letters with actor Bryan Murray and musicians Teresa O’Donnell, Mary Louise O’Donnell, Denice Doyle, Jane Hughes and Pat Fitzpatrick.
The performers are: Bryan Murray (Edward Bunting), Teresa O’Donnell (harp), Mary Louise O’Donnell (voice), Denice Doyle (violin), Jane Hughes (cello) and Pat Fitzpatrick (uilleann pipes, whistle).

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | DUBLIN | Primary School Harp Recital Series
2023-10-16 09:00 - 2023-10-20 15:00 | Co. Roscommon
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | DUBLIN | Primary School Harp Recital Series
16th-20th October
Harpers visit local primary schools to perform and tell them a little more about the harp, what it’s made from, how many strings it has and its history in ancient Ireland!

Lá na Cruite | Harp Day 2023
2023-10-21 | Online at harpireland.ie, Ireland
Lá na Cruite | Harp Day | 21st October 2023
Meanma | Confident, Creative Harping
Lá na Cruite | Harp Day takes place this year on Saturday 21st October 2023 with performances, workshops, talks and taster sessions planned across Ireland and beyond, involving as many people as possible in a celebration of our 1000-year old harping tradition. Now in its seventh year and featuring live and online harping events, we invite harpers everywhere to join with us in marking this special day, where harps will resound in all corners of the world.
The theme of our 2023 harp day celebration is Meanma; the morale, the spirit and the pride that harpers have in our harping tradition, which is recognised on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanities. Harpers worldwide can showcase and embody that joy and courage, as together we push the parameters of our harping tradition and sustain our living harping heritage.
Why not help us build our programme? Sign up for our Harpers’ Call, organise a Lá na Cruite | Harp Day 2023 event in your local area, or if you have an idea to promote the harp in any way, please let us know.
Lá na Cruite| Harp Day is for everyone. Bigí linn, fáilte roimh chách!
Contact us at info@harpireland.ie

Harps at the LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire
2023-10-21 11:00 - 12:00 | dlr LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Harps at the LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire
11am, Saturday 21st October 2023
Join Conor O’Brien, Thuan Leavy and Grace Galligan as they perform in the iconic surroundings of the DLR LexIcon to celebrate Lá na Cruite | Harp Day 2023
LexIcon, Dun Laoghaire Library and Cultural Centre, Haigh Terrace, Moran Park, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin A96 H283

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | DUBLIN | Harping Fun with Aisling Ennis
2023-10-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Co. Roscommon
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | DUBLIN | Harping Fun with Aisling Ennis
Saturday 21 October, 1-2pm
Free Admission | Donations welcome
Harper Aisling Ennis delves into the magic of Irish legends and the Wicklow fairy tradition, 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!

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/722095235287?aff=oddtdtcreator

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | DUBLIN | Edward Bunting: Illuminating his Legacy
2023-10-21 14:00 - 15:00 | National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | DUBLIN | Edward Bunting: Illuminating his Legacy
National Library of Ireland
Saturday 21st October, 2pm
Free Admission | Donations welcome
Belfast historian Mark Doherty speaks about the life and work of Edward Bunting. Mark reveals Bunting’s connections to Belfast and Dublin, and how he spent his life preserving the music of the harpers.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/722095235287?aff=oddtdtcreator

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | DUBLIN | Film Screening: Beart Bunting
2023-10-21 15:00 - 16:00 | National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | DUBLIN | Film Screening: Beart Bunting
Saturday 21 October, 3:00pm
National Library of Ireland
Free Admission | Donations welcome
Beart Bunting, directed by Deaglán Ó Mochain. Six of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians join with Strabane Brass Band to explore and perform a neglected part of the Edward Bunting collection – a manuscript of mainly military music such as regimental marches, retreats and quick-steps collected alongside traditional Irish airs and tunes – reflecting the turbulent political reality of Ireland before and after the 1798 rebellion.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/722095235287?aff=oddtdtcreator

Harps in Harmony | Dundalk
2023-10-21 19:30 - 21:30 | st Nicholas Church of Ireland Dundalk, Church St, Dundalk, A91 AT18
Harps in Harmony
St Nicholas’ Church of Ireland, Dundalk
Saturday 21 October, 7.30pm
Featuring Alfi, Nós Nua Youth Folk Orchestra and the Music Generation Louth Harp Ensembles.
Tickets €10 (€5 concessions) or €20 Family ticket at www.eventbrite.ie

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | DUBLIN | Try Your Hand at the Early Irish Harp | The Royal Irish Academy of Music
2023-10-22 10:00 - 13:00 | Royal Irish Academy of Music, 36-38 Westland Row, Dublin 2,, Dublin 2, D02 WY89, Ireland
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | DUBLIN | Try Your Hand at the Early Irish Harp
The Royal Irish Academy of Music
Sunday 22nd October, 10am
Free Admission | Donations welcome
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. Listen to early Irish harp music with Siobhán Armstrong, find out more about its fascinating history at a 45-minute illustrated talk with Simon Chadwick, and join a 75-minute, hands-on workshop for beginners with Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin. Harps copied from medieval to 18th-century originals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/harps-alive-an-chruit-bheo-harps-leevin-2023-tickets-722095235287

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | DUBLIN | Remembering Edward Bunting | Mount Jerome Cemetery
2023-10-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Mount Jerome 158 Harold’s Cross Road D6W HY98 Dublin
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | DUBLIN | Remembering Edward Bunting
Mount Jerome Cemetery
Sunday 22nd October, 11am – 12pm
Free Admission | Donations welcome
Join us at Edward Bunting’s newly restored grave in Mount Jerome, where Aosdána poet Moya Cannon performs a newly commissioned poem celebrating the legacy of Edward Bunting and is joined by harper Aisling Lyons to recreate the ancient tradition of reacaire (reciter) and harper.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/722095235287?aff=oddtdtcreator

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | DUBLIN | Masterclass with Richard Allen
2023-10-22 11:00 - 13:00 | Royal Irish Academy of Music, 36-38 Westland Row, Dublin 2,, Dublin 2, D02 WY89, Ireland
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | DUBLIN | Masterclass with Richard Allen
The Royal Irish Academy of Music
Sunday 22nd October, 11am
Free Admission | Donations welcome
Level: Intermediate
Join one of Ireland’s leading exponents of pedal harp practice, Richard Allen, as he guides you through repertoire for pedal harp. Why not perform a solo piece, and spend time with Richard working through the music? Or sit back and have a listen? Everyone welcome!
Register at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/harps-alive-an-chruit-bheo-harps-leevin-2023-tickets-722095235287

HARPS ALIVE 2023 | DUBLIN | Irish Harp Workshop with Aisling Lyons
2023-10-22 13:30 - 15:30 | Royal Irish Academy of Music, 36-38 Westland Row, Dublin 2,, Dublin 2, D02 WY89, Ireland
HARPS ALIVE 2023 | DUBLIN | Irish Harp Workshop with Aisling Lyons
The Royal Irish Academy of Music
Sunday 22nd October, 1.30-3.30pm
Free Admission | Donations welcome
Level: Intermediate
Dynamic harper Aisling Lyons invites you to a workshop at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. No matter what your standard, come along and take part. There will be something in it for everybody. Hear and learn the best of harpers’ music from one of our most renowned harpers.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/harps-alive-an-chruit-bheo-harps-leevin-2023-tickets-722095235287

Harps Together: CÉHI Gala Concert | Pepper Canister Church
2023-10-22 18:30 - 20:30 | Pepper Canister Church, Mount St Crescent, Dublin 2, D02 HC65, Ireland
Harps Together: CÉHI Gala Concert
Pepper Canister Church
Sunday 22nd October, 6.30pm
Tickets €15 at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/722095235287?aff=oddtdtcreator
Join us at Harps Alive | An Chruit Bheo | Harps Leevin for the final gala concert of the festival, featuring an array of harpers and the Dublin premiere of the Harps Alive Ensemble. Siobhán Armstrong showcases the music of the early Irish harp, harpist Maria McNamee performs music for pedal harp and Aosdána poet Moya Cannon recites a newly commissioned poem in memory of Edward Bunting with harper Aisling Lyons recreating the ancient tradition of harper and reacaire (reciter). Enjoy the enchanting sounds of renowned harper Triona Marshall with well-known accordionist and composer, Martin Tourish.

Hope and Light
2023-11-05 15:00 - 17:00 | The Belfast Room, Ulster Museum, The Belfast Room, Ulster Museum, Belfast
Hope & Light: Ruth Corry, Sky Harp Ensemble and Robert Coleman
Featuring new music for the harp composed by Ruth Corry, Sky Harp Ensemble and soundscape recordings in collaboration with Robert Coleman

Tickets : https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/718380554577?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tríona Marshall (harp) & Martin Tourish (Accordion) | Farmleigh House and Estate
2023-11-09 08:00 - 17:00 | Co. Roscommon
Tríona Marshall (harp) & Martin Tourish (accordion)
November 25 @ 8.00pm – 10.00pm
Doors 7.30 pm
The Garden of Strange Beauty is the place from where the intensity of all our joys, sadness and laughter spring. Throughout time, music has served as a pathway between the realms of myth and mystery and the earthly landscape wherein we all reside. In this strangest of pairings, the harp of Triona Marshall and the accordion of Martin Tourish combine to conjure an ethereal and dreamlike soundscape, full of the expressions of human emotions revealed in this experiential sphere.
Tickets available: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/triona-marshall-harp-martin-tourish-accordion-tickets-713792702187?aff=oddtdtcreator

Chris Newman & Maire Ni Chathasaigh
2023-11-16 10:55 | Co. Roscommon

Soothing Harps: The Power to Heal | 19 November 2023
2023-11-19 10:00 - 15:00 | Royal Irish Academy of Music, 36-38 Westland Row, Dublin 2,, Dublin 2, D02 WY89, Ireland
SOOTHING HARPS: The Power to Heal
Royal Irish Academy of Music
Sunday 19 November, 10am-3pm
Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland hosts its annual symposium, Soothing Harps, in the Organ Room, the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Westland Row, Dublin on Sunday 19th November, 10am-3pm.
The power of the harp to heal, sooth and restore wellbeing is well documented through the ages. 2500 years ago, the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras recommended lyre music to keep his patients healthy and King David was said to play his harp (lyre) to raise the spirits of King Saul. Irish legend immortalises the magic powers of the harpers to induce joy, sadness and slumber in anybody who listened to their music.
Explore this unique harping phenomenon, which continues to transform lives and help people to connect with their inner selves in hands-on workshops, presentations and performances with music therapy specialists:
Jessica Harris (Music Therapist, RIAM)
Dominic Cogan (Mindfulness and Wellbeing Facilitator)
William Jackson (Music Therapist and harper)
Mary Louise O’Donnell (harp)
Teresa O’Donnell (harp)
Aisling Ennis (harp)
Admission €25, Students and Concessions €15 at www.eventbrite.ie

Sheila Larchet Cuthbert at 100 – Her Life and Harping Legacy
2023-11-19 16:30 - 18:00 | Pepper Canister Church, Mount St Crescent, Dublin 2, D02 HC65, Ireland
Sheila Larchet Cuthbert at 100 – Her Life and Harping Legacy
Sunday 19th November 4.30pm
Pepper Canister Church, Mount St Crescent, Dublin 2
Featuring words and harp music from Cliona Doris, Denise Kelly McDonnell and Andreja Malir, with special guest Mary Cuthbert
Sheila Larchet Cuthbert has led a remarkable life of harping, both as a performer, teacher, author and advocate for the harp in Ireland. Her international contribution at World Harp Congress level, her seminal publication The Irish Harp Book, featuring new works by many of Ireland’s leading twentieth century composers together with her teaching and distinguished performing career as the RTESO (NSO) principal harpist for many years, have contributed significantly to a resurgence of interest in harping during the twentieth century, and undoubtedly set the scene for our vibrant harping tradition today.
Cruit Éireann|Harp Ireland’s 2023 annual lecture marks Sheila’s remarkable achievement in her 100th year. With harp music and words, Denise Kelly McDonnell, Cliona Doris and Andreja Malir discuss her pivotal role and share personal insights into the life and harping legacy of a crusader who transformed the harp in Ireland, and who exerted a profound influence on Irish musical life throughout the twentieth century.
Register at www.eventbrite.ie (Free admission)

Ceol Cruite Na Nollag | Christmas Music on Harps | Killarney Library
2023-12-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Killarney Library, Rock Road, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Killarney, V93 YE35, Ireland
Ceol Cruite Na Nollag | Christmas Music on Harps
Killarney Library, Co. Kerry
Thursday 7th December at 7pm.
Featuring Deirdre Granville, Cáit Ní Rinn, Reidun Schlesinger, Marina Blythe, Sr Colette, Margaret Looney and Máire Begley.
Fáilte roimh chách. Adm Free.

Drawing from the Well: Síle Denvir, Pádraic Keane, Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Andrea Palandri
2023-12-08 17:00 - 21:00 | Co. Roscommon
Friday, 8 December 2023, 5.00pm

Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin
ITMA presents an evening of traditional music, song and dance in the company of four of Ireland’s leading contemporary traditional artists: Andrea Palandri (fiddle), Pádraic Keane (uilleann pipes), Síle Denvir (harp & song) and Caitlín Nic Gabhann (concertina & dance). These artists have engaged with ITMA’s artistic programmes, including its flagship series Drawing from the Well, an initiative which connects artists with archival materials to inspire new art.

Notes & Narratives: Eilís Lavelle
2023-12-14 20:30 | Co. Roscommon
Thursday, 14 December 2023 at 20:30
Monthly performance-based lecture series on traditional music, song and dance
Eilís Lavelle – “James Cody: An Insight into Notations of a 19th Century Piper & Collector”
James Cody, a piper and Irish teacher, was employed by the music collector Edward Bunting (1773–1843) to transcribe music and lyrics in the early nineteenth century. The output of Cody’s collection work for Bunting is preserved in the Bunting collection. In addition, James Cody contributed to the manuscripts of Patrick O’Neill (1765–1832).
Notes & Narratives will take place at Na Píobairí Uilleann, 15 Henrietta Street, Dublin 1, starting at 8:30pm on Thursday 14th December 2023. Admission is €10 (unwaged / student / retired €5). For those unable to attend in person, it will also be live streamed for free through our channel NPU-TV.
Na Píobairí Uilleann presents Notes & Narratives – a series of monthly performance-based lectures on traditional music, song and dance by some of Ireland’s finest traditional artists.
Tickets available on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/notes-narratives-eilis-lavelle-tickets-755368436327?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1

Lisa Canny Ireland Tour
2023-12-15 - 2023-12-22 | Co. Roscommon
Oct 21 – Royal Theatre, Mayo, IE (special guest with Martin Hayes and Common Ground Quartet)

Nov 22 – Dublin Castle, London, UK

Dec 15 – Dolans, Limerick, IE

Dec 16 – Sea church, Ballycotton, Cork, IE

Dec 22 – Royal Theatre, Mayo, IE

Jan 24 – The Crypt, London, UK

For more tour dates, tickets and information visit : https://www.lisacanny.com/tour
