Heaney’s Irish language translations through the lens of the Irish music tradition. From Buile Shuibhne (Sweeney Astray), the medieval tale of the mad bird-king of Antrim’s Dál nAraidhe, to his favourite song An Bonnán Buí (The Yellow Bittern), Heaney found fertile soil for his imagination in the songs and stories of his ancestors.
Aoibheann Devlin, Déaglán Ó Doibhlin and Sorcha Uí Chuireáin present lore, song, poetry and music on fiddle and medieval wire-strung Gaelic harp. All three are members of the group Lí Ban and hail from the shores of Heaney’s beloved Lough Beg. Expect insights into the poet’s relationship with his native tongue.

Harpers Lauren Ní Néill, Colm McGonigle and Sabina McCague and the Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan, Harp Ensemble play support at the Ed Reavy Traditional Music Festival Saturday night concert featuring Ryan Sheridan, Andrew Caden, Conor McDonagh and Conor Connolly. 

Tickets at ticketsolve.com

Join Causeway Harp School and Hampsey Harp School for a day of workshops for all levels, followed by performances in The Pantry at Garvagh Community Buildings. Booking is essential.

10am – From Jigs to Reels with Lucy Kerr (Intermediate to Advanced players)
10am A Taste of Carolan with Katy Bustard (Intermediate players)
Hands on Harps Taster Session with Dubhla Mullan (no experience)
Beginner Harp Yunes with Sinéad Close

12pm – Music in the Pantry harp performance

Venue: Garvagh Community Building, 85 Main Street, Garvagh, BT51 5AB

Free admission

Booking: Contact Claire 07810204976 or Katy 07400991270

Harp workshops led by the wonderful tutors, Lucia McGinnis and Gráinne Meyer, from 10-12, followed by a short show open to the all, with doors open at 1pm.

Book Here.

Lá na Cruite|Harp Day Inishowen

Harp Day will feature workshops led by Lauren Ní Néill and Joleen McLaughlin, a Hands on Harps session open to the public and a free harp recital featuring the Inishowen harp ensemble in Moville town.

The Carroll School of Harp Ensemble will perform, followed by a Hands on Harps session for shoppers.

Harp in the Manor House

A variety of harp music will be performed for visitors to the beautiful Manor House at Mount Stewart throughout the afternoon, in celebration of National Harp Day.

Síle Denvir and Barry Kerr at glór Theatre, Ennis 8.30pm

Síle Denvir is a sean-nós singer and harpist from Connemara who has performed with The Chieftains and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra. Barry Kerr is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer. Together, they combine voice, harp, pipes, flute and original compositions rooted in Irish tradition.

Tickets at glór.ie

In partnership with Clare County Council

Harp Yoga

Morning time Harp Yoga, with Aisling Lyons and yoga teacher Sue Redmond.

Evening Recital with Paul Dooley, Kseniia Rusnak, and Aisling Lyons

Harp Day 2025 events at Kinsale Library
11.00-12.30
Sean Nós Airs Workshop with Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh
For Intermediate-Advanced Harpers.
Places are limited. Please book your place with Damhnait Nic Suibhne at 086 602 2727 or email damhnait.sweeney@gmail.com.
Music available in advance on request from Damhnait.

1.30pm – 2.30.pm
Open Session with Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Damhnait Nic Suibhne & Glissando
Open session for harpers at all levels.  Fáilte roimh cách. Everybody can join in. All listeners are welcome.

2.30 to 3pm
Hands on Harps
Have you ever wanted to try the harp? This is your chance. Harp-teacher Damhnait Nic Suibhne and members of Glissando will show you how. All are welcome.

Free Admission. In partnership with Cork County Council

UCC TradSoc  presents Harpers in the Honan on Tuesday 14th October at 7.30pm.

Featuring the harp/box duo of Oisín Morrison & Tommie Cunniffe, alongside harper and vocalist Aisling Urwin.

Free Admission. Register at ticketsource.eu

Early-Irish Harp Discovery Day

Historical Harp Society of Ireland’s ‘Discovery Day’ at Doneraile Court on 18th October, Harp Day as part of the East Cork Festival of Early Music.
Talk on the early Irish harp by Dr Siobhan Armstrong at 11 am;
early Irish harp Beginners Workshop with Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin at 11.45am;
Concert at 5.30pm with the Earls of Ormond featuring countertenor Mark Chambers. Booking required.

Book Here

Yoga with Hannah Buckley featuring harper Deirdre Granville

Lunchtime concert with Deirdre & Aoife Granville, Máire Begley, Niamh O’Brien and friends.

Charity Concert for The Blasket Centre

Musical concert to raise funds for The Blasket Centre. Spindrift will perform 3 traditional pieces on harp and cello, plus one original. Other acts include singers, poetry and musicians.

A fun and informal harp session

You are invited to bring your harp and play tunes together. Beginners to Advanced players welcome, as well as family and friends.

Tune harp beforehand or arrive at 10:30am to tune.

Harp Workshops with Suzanne Quille

10am Beginner Harp Workshops

Suzanne Quille leads a free beginner harp workshop in Teach Siamsa.

Book your spot here.

11:30am Intermediate Harp Workshops

Suzanne Quille leads a free intermediate harp workshop

New Connections Harp Concert is a presentation of newly composed music written by Dr Fiana Ní Chonaill in collaboration with Gráinne Fitzgibbon and Nora Casey.

Supported by Limerick Arts Office and Limerick City & County Council through the Dolores O’Riordan Music Bursary as well as by Music Generation Limerick County and Harp Ireland.

Tickets €20 including fee at friarsgate.ie

Ancient Harp Discovery Day

Would you like to hear, learn more about, and play on a copy of an ancient Irish harp? Come to an HHSI Discovery Day to hear these rare instruments played in concert, have your questions answered at an illustrated talk, and—if you sign up early enough!—take one of up to seven places in a hands-on workshop. Try an ancient Irish harp; maybe even learn a tune! All levels welcomed, beginners included.

In association with H.I.P.S.T.E.R.
Join the Historical Harp Society of Ireland and H.I.P.S.T.E.R. on 25 October for a day of Discovery events to celebrate Ireland’s illustrious, ancient harp.

1:00 p.m. LISTEN to this rare instrument being played in a concert with Siobhán Armstrong (harp) and Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin (harp and voice)
2:00 p.m. LEARN all about the early Irish harp’s fascinating history in an illustrated talk — Dr Siobhán Armstrong
3:00 p.m. HAVE A GO yourself in a hands-on workshop (limited places) — Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin
Location: Irish Chamber Orchestra Studio, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co. Limerick V94 T9PX

Pop-up harp performance with Fiana Ní Chonaill and Cuisle Harp Ensemble.

Pop-up harp performance with The Music Generation Waterford harp ensemble.

Cairde na Cruite celebrate Lá na Cruite|Harp Day

Aspiring harpers will perform an eclectic mix of music followed by a performance by the award-winning harper, Emer Ní Scolaí who celebrates the recent launch of her debut album.

Gráinne Yeats: A Renaissance Woman.

A lecture on one of the leading harpers of her generation with Mary Louise O’Donnell and Teresa O’Donnell. Admission Free.

Book Here

Bray CCÉ Harp Ensemble will open the annual charity trad marathon at Cultúrlann na hÉireann, playing from 9.00am-9.30am. There will be music in the venue all day and fundraising in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.

Come and hear some harp music, try a harp or join us if you are a harpist  on Saturday 18th October , 2-4 pm in Blanchardstown Library, to celebrate Harp Day 2025.

With Noreen O’Donoghue, Ann Tuite, and Siobhán Breathnach.

Pop-up Harp Performance with Claire O’Donnell and The Kylemore College Harp Ensemble.

Growing your Repertoire

In partnership with the RIAM, award-winning harper, Emer Ní Scolaí, who has recently launched her début solo album will lead a workshop aimed at aspiring harpers with traditional tunes and music of the harpers. The session will also include a presentation on harp techniques by Áine Ní Dhubhghaill and will conclude with a short recital.

Free admission.

Book Here.

Harper Luke Webb‘s students perform in an evening of harp music for Lá na Cruite|Harp Day 2025 in Hope Centre, St. Mary’s Church, Crumlin.

Harper Sophie Ní Riain performs a recital in Ballyroan Library.

Pop-up Harp Performance with Conor O’Brien and Clodagh Ní Dhaltúin with her harp students.

Lá na Cruite – Lunchtime Recital

A lunchtime concert celebrating the Harp in Fingal. Featuring the emerging talents of the IIMS Harp Ensemble and IIMS Music Academy Students, alongside leading harp players Dr Helen Lawlor and Aoibheann Galvin.

Book Here

Concert

Harper Ruth O’Hara and students play classical, traditional Irish, pop and film music in Naas Library to celebrate Lá na Cruite|Harp Day.

Mamó with Lisa Lambe & Steve Cooney
Songs my Grandmother gave me

Lisa Lambe and Steve Cooney in Dunamaise Arts Centre, with support from Music Generation Laois Senior Harp Ensemble

Pop-up Harp Concert & Try the Harp

This is a family friendly event. Come along and listen to some of Music Generation Louth’s local harpers share their music, and the music of the harp. Audience members will have an opportunity to try the harp.

Harping at the Highlanes

Jennifer Leahy & her local harp students from Music Generation Louth will share their music and give the audience a chance to try out our national instrument.

Fiona Gryson and the Inetola Harp Ensemble will do a pop-up performance in Ashbourne Library, Meath.

Pop-up harp performance featuring Fiona Gryson & students, with The Fingal Harp Ensemble and The Inetola Harp Ensemble

Sharon Carroll and the Music Generation Meath Harp Ensemble: pop-up performances at Nobber Heritage Centre.

Pop-up harp performance with Jennifer Leahy and Mullingar Harp School

An File, An tAmhránaí agus An Cruitire

Bígí le hÉire le haghaidh léiriú filíochta agus amhránaíochta le tionlacan ar an gcruit i dTeach na Seanscoile, Ráth an Chuilinn, Loch Garman ar an 18ú lá de mhí Dheireadh Fómhair ag 12 meán lae do Lá na Cruite. Beidh cruiteanna ag Éire ar an lá ionas gur féidir libh triail a bhaint as an uirlis.

During the morning harp players will perform at pop up harp recitals around County Wexford.

10.30am-11.30am Hands on Harp with Aileen Kennedy in Gorey Library

1pm Harp Concert with Cruitirí Loch Garman/Wexford Harp Ensemble in St. Michael’s Church, Gorey. Special guests the Mothers and Others Ensemble and Dads and Lads Ensemble. Concert can be viewed on the parish webcam.

Harpmaker Robert O Connor will display harps at various stages of production in the Woodturning Studio on Arklow Road, Gorey during the day.

Amhráin, Cláirseach agus Dánta

Solo Recital ‘Amhráin, Cláirseach agus Dánta’ (‘Songs, Early Irish Harp and Poetry’), at Greystones library on Saturday 11th October at 3.30. Free admission, Booking: 01 287 3548.
In partnership with Wicklow County Council

Hands on Harp session with Aisling Ennis where members of the public are welcome to try their hand at the harp.

Bray Harp Ensemble Harp Day Recital

Bray CCÉ Harp Ensemble will present a short recital of traditional music at Bray Library to celebrate Lá na Cruite.

Harper Claire O’Donnell with Kylemore College Harp Ensemble and Rachel Duffy with Bray CCÉ Harp Ensemble perform a pop-up harp recital at 2pm on Satuday.

Blossom Harp Ensemble present ‘Morning Harp’. This performance allows shoppers to listen and discover the harp.

Pop-up harp performance with Maura Walsh Ó Cróinín.

Pop-up harp performance with Maura Walsh Ó Cróinín.

Pop-up Harp Performance with Anne Fitzpatrick.

Pop-up harp performance with harpers Kathlen Loughnane and Catriona Cannon.

Harpy Hour

Performance with harpers Kathleen Loughnane and Catriona Cannon.

Blossom Harp Ensemble will perform the Irish Harp in Ballinasloe Town Centre for all to hear.

Advanced Harp Workshop with Alannah Thornburgh, 10.00am-1.00pm (Free). Sponsored by Harp Ireland. Workshops are free. Advance registration is required.

Register Here.

Intermediate Harp Workshop with Laoise Kelly, 10.00am-1.00pm (Free). Sponsored by Music Generation Mayo. Workshops are free. Advance registration is required.

Register Here.

Lunchtime Recital at Foxford Woollen Mills with Music Generation Mayo Harp Ensemble (directed by Gráinne Hambly & William Jackson) and special guests. Admission Free, no booking required.

Hands on Harps

Free Event for complete beginners who would like to see and try out the harp. With Laoise Kelly. Advance registration required. Sponsored by Music Generation Mayo.

Register Here.

Performance from local duo Sophie Daly and Aoife Guckian, members of the Keadue Harp Ensemble.

A light, informal harp performance of traditional and modern music in the welcoming reception area of Kilronan Castle.

We welcome curious, potential harpists to join for a hands-on harp event.

If you’ve ever wanted to try pluck the strings of a harp, channel your inner Turlough O’Carolan, or pose for a picture with the fabulous instrument – then this is for you!

Jay and Abby Michaels – The Harper and The Minstrel celebrate Lá na Cruite – Harp Day, on Cape Cod with Irish music featuring Ireland’s national symbol, the Harp, accompanied by singing and a variety of traditional instruments.

More Information Here

A 7-hour harp marathon of continuous harp recital performance, 4 hours of Try the Harp, and a showcase of Lauren Scott’s new Étude volume.

Delaware Valley Harpers in Concert for Harp Day.

Harpers from around the Philadelphia/South Jersey area will perform a free concert. The concert will also be zoomed and online players can play-along. Email kathy@harpagency.com to get the playlist.

Tara Viscardi and the ICC Harp Ensemble perform a pop-up performance in the foyer of the Irish Cultural Centre.

Sang de Dona (from Catalan Women’s blood) is the first solo album of the Catalan harper and singer Anna Amigó. Anna has been digging deep into the Catalan folk song book to present this remarkable album, consisting of 12 carefully selected and reworked songs. The title ‘Sang de Dona’ and the album art strongly hint to themes of women‘s empowerment, matrilineality and women’s daily trials and tribulations.

Alison Paisley shares ambient playing of the harp in an Novel Nook Bookshop to promote the harp and speak to those who are interested to know more about this amazing instrument.

Eilís Lavelle, Cruit Éireann|Harp Ireland artist-in-residence at Centre Culturel Irlandais, will open the evening with traditional harp music before joining Niall Vallely and Karan Casey on stage to perform together.

Information and tickets here.

Harpers’ Call 2025 #1

Alannah Thornburgh (Ireland), Harpers Bizarre with Pete Gibson (Victoria, Australia), Amelia & Lauren Leonard (Co Mayo), Caoilfhionn Dempsey (Gorey), Anan Aoyama, (Tokyo), Casey Mai Dowd (Claremorris), Fernando López (Pontevedra, Spain), Alicia Griffiths Student Ensemble (Spain), Ciara Duffy and Ramona Sakalauskaite (Music Generation Sligo), Ria Adachi (Fukuoka, Japan), Forty Strings & Csorba Gergő (Hungary), Reidun Schlesinger (Co Kerry), Hollie French (Wexford), Anna Amigó (Catalonia, Spain), North Galway Harp Ensemble, Sheenagh Tighe (Westport), Janita Billingham (Brisbane, Australia), Sarah Nicholas (Adelaide, Australia)

Harpers’ Call 2025 #2

Sahoko and Hideshi Matsudo (Kumamoto, Japan), Soomee Han and Yoonjeong Nam (Seoul, South Korea), Angelika Schwarz (Ulm, Germany), Machiko Ooka & Hiroshima Harpers (Hiroshima, Japan), Ciara Duffy, Rachel Brennan and Ramona Sakalauskaite (Music Generation Sligo), Ann Tuite & students (Dublin), Samantha Jones (Riverstick, Co. Cork), Ruth O’Hara and Martina Rosaria (Kildare), Ruri Katoh (Koshi-city, Japan), Ingel Baaijens (Gasselternijveen, Netherlands), Raghnaid Ní Ghríofa (Co Clare), Peggy Mohr (Harrison, USA), Jude Bullard (Castlebar), Patricia Daly (Armagh), Maeve Coyle (Derry), Paul Crowley (Denver, USA), Fiona Birkett (Wirksworth, Derbyshire Dales), Aoibheann Galvin (Dublin), Aoibhe Nic Lochlainn (Doire), Aoife Guckian and Sophie Daly, Roscommon

Harpers’ Call 2025 #3

HHSI (Historical Harp Society of Ireland) compilation – Maura Walsh Uí Chróinín, Alex Golden, Jim Johnston, Chad McAnally, Valentina Conti, Jay Michaels, Barbara Karlik, Karen Loomis, Ann Heymann
Harpers’ Escape Play-along with Kathy DeAngelo (New Jersey, USA), Tracy Carcione (USA), Dennis and Austin Doyle (Montana, USA), Emma Petre (Evesham, USA), Harpers’ Escape, Somerset Harp Festival (NJ, USA), Heartland Harp Ensemble with Lorinda Jones (Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA), Maria Wilson (Seattle, USA), Kathy de Angelo (Somerset, USA), Matthew Tran-Adams (Toronto, Canada), Peggy Mohr (Harrison, USA), Rachel Brennan, Ella McGowan and Ramona Sakalauskaite (Music Generation Sligo), Rebbeca Wertz (Colorado Springs, USA)