Mayo harpers to perform at major international festival

Mayo musicians will be among those performing at a major music event in Co Louth during the first week in July.

Established in 1986, An Chúirt Chruitireachta is an annual international harp festival run by Cairde na Cruite (Friends of the Harp). It sees harpers from all over the world come together for an immersive week of harping. 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.

This year’s festival takes place from Sunday, June 30th, to Friday, July 5th, at An Grianán, Termonfeckin, Co Louth, and features a panel of exceptional tutors and talented artists set to deliver an outstanding celebration of harp music.

Residential students will stay onsite in An Grianán, where they will engage in daily classes, workshops and concerts. They 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.

Claremorris native Gráinne Hambly, a popular tutor at the festival, returns this year to work with participants for the week. Mayo harper Alannah Thornburgh will lead ‘Goltraí agus Geantraí’ workshops for toddlers on Wednesday, July 3rd, while Hannah Lyons features as part of the festival’s ‘Rising Stars’ concert series on Thursday, July 4th. The Music Generation Harp Ensemble also return to the festival. They will perform alongside harpers from across the country in a Harp Ensemble gala concert on Wednesday, July 3rd, at An Grianán.

Members of the public are also invited to attend an exciting line-up of ticketed concerts taking place at 8pm each evening at an Grianán. Artist-in-residence Gráinne Meyer and harp duo Aisling Urwin and Niamh O’Brien will open proceedings on Sunday, June 30th, with a dynamic display of Irish harping. On Monday, July 1st, expert exponents of traditional music take to the stage in the form of two duos, Eilís Lavelle and Robert Harvey (harp and flute) and Zoë Conway and John McIntyre (fiddle and guitar). 

Audiences will be treated to an exciting array of approaches to song on Tuesday, July 2nd, in ‘Roots and Resonance’, a concert that features artists Méabh McKenna, Gerry Cullen and the Drogheda Singers and Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta. On Thursday, July 4th, acclaimed musicians Cormac de Barra (harp), Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich (voice) and Suntou Susso (kora) will perform in a captivating finale concert showcasing their rich knowledge of song and harping traditions.

The mid-point of the week sees harp ensembles from all across Ireland joining the festival. Artist-in-residence Gráinne Meyer will lead visiting ensembles from Louth, Dublin, Meath, Wicklow, Clare, Cavan, Monaghan, Mayo, Laois and Down in a day of workshops, culminating in an evening performance on Wednesday, July 3rd, at 8pm.

Tickets for all evening concerts (€15 plus booking fees) can be purchased through Eventbrite (An Chúirt Chruitireachta International Festival for Harp 2024). See www.harpfestival.ie for further details.