The annual An Chúirt Chruitireachta International Harp Festival will take place June 25–30 at An Grianán, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth, offering daily classes, workshops, and concerts. Students will learn about historical and contemporary aspects of the harp tradition and explore the harp in its many forms through performances and demonstrations on Irish, early Irish and pedal harps. Participants have the opportunity to engage with other harpers, gain a better understanding of Irish music, song and dance, and learn more about the harp and its music.
The festival’s evening concerts are open to the public and will take place daily at 8 p.m. June 25–29 at An Grianán. Tickets for all evening concerts (€15) can be purchased through Eventbrite.
Harpist Clíona Doris (pedal harp) and sisters Deirdre and Aoife Granville (Irish harp and flute) will open proceedings on June 25, while Gerry Cullen and the Drogheda Singers, early-music trio Nobody’s Jig and harper Gráinne Hambly will take to the stage on June 26 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of collector Edward Bunting’s birth. On June 27, Jean Kelly (pedal harp) and Trio Táin (pedal harp, flute, viola) will perform. Artist-in-residence Rachel Hair will lead 7 visiting ensembles from Wicklow, Mayo, Antrim, Donegal, Clare, Louth and Dublin in a day of workshops, culminating in an evening performance on June 28. The festival gala concert on June 29 will feature two duos, Anne-Marie O’Farrell and Cormac de Barra (harps) and Scottish musicians Rachel Hair and Ron Jappy (harp and guitar).
The festival also includes several free events: an exhibition by Irish harp makers, lunchtime concerts by emerging performers, and interactive workshops for parents and toddlers.
Established in 1986, the festival is run by Cairde na Cruite (Friends of the Harp). For more information, visit the festival’s website.
