I had a very special moment yesterday when, for five minutes in a busy day, I was transported to a special place by the sheer power of wonderful music expertly played.

The music was played by three young harpists, Jaymee, Ryan and Kayla Martin from Dromiskin at the launch in the Highlanes Gallery of An Chúirt Chruitirechta, the International Festival for Irish Harp which takes place in An Grianan Termonfeckin from 29th June to 4th July.

I had a similar moment back in the late seventies when the late great Uilleann piper Séamus Ennis played for me as I photographed him at a gathering of Na Píobairí Uilleann in Bettystown.

Ennis was coming to the end of his illustrious career, he died in Naul in October 1982, but the Martin siblings are at an early stage of theirs and, if they have ambitions in that direction, they certainly have the skills that will bring them round the world.

Now in its 39th year, An Chúirt Chruitireachta will see over 300 harp players from all over Ireland and around the globe gather in Termonfeckin for an immersive week of harping. 

Internationally renowned artists and exceptional tutors including Máire Ní Chathasaigh, Anne-Marie O’Farrell, Cormac De Barra, Aisling Lyons, Alannah Thornburgh, Harp Alchemy, The Henry Girls and more will come together to perform, mentor and celebrate in a week dedicated to the Irish harp. 

This year's festival features daytime workshops, evening concerts, talks, exhibitions, pop-ups, a céilí, fringe events, rising stars concerts and a finale concert.

The festival will kick off on Sunday 29th June with an evening concert, ‘Fáilte Isteach’ featuring Holly Geraghty and Amerghin (Anne-Marie O’Farrell, Brian Fleming, Aingeala De Búrca, Tim Doyle).

Workshops and events continue throughout the week culminating in an Evening Concert Finale on Friday 4th July featuring Úna Ní Fhlannagáin, Mélissandre T-B and The Henry Girls. 

The public are invited to attend the exciting line-up of ticketed concerts taking place at 8pm each evening from Sunday 29th June to Friday 4th July at an Grianán. MORE INFO & TICKETS HERE

Festival places can also be booked for students who wish to immerse themselves in a week of Irish harp playing. MORE INFO & BOOK PLACES HERE

Fringe Events - Harping for all ages!

As part of the festival, a series of fringe events will be held in Drogheda town throughout the week. ‘Rising Stars’ highlights up-and-coming performers in lunchtime concerts at the Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda on Tuesday 1st July (Sult) and on Thursday 3rd July (Catherine and Laura Ní Fhearraigh). Admission is free and no booking is required.

The ‘Goltraí agus Geantraí’ sessions led by harper Alannah Thornburgh are designed to introduce babies, toddlers and their accompanying adults to the magic of the harp. They take place at Drogheda Library on Tuesday 1st July. Admission is free but booking is essential. 

Tickets for all evening concerts (€15 plus booking fees - concessions available) Tickets can be booked here: