An Chúirt Chruitireachta International Harp Festival

An Grianán, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth

30th June - 5th July 2024

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 30th June to Friday 5th July at An Grianán, Termonfeckin, 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.

Louth musicians will be among those performing at the festival. Festival favourites Zoë Conway & John McIntyre (Monday 1st July) and Gerry Cullen & the Drogheda Singers (Tuesday 2nd July) will perform in evening concerts at An Grianán.

Louth-based harper Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla will teach at the festival and will lead the Music Generation Louth Harp Ensemble in several festival performances. The ensemble will open the festival with a Pop-Up Concert at An Grianán at 3pm on Sunday 30th June. They will also participate in the festival’s annual ensemble day which will see them perform alongside harpers from across the country in a Harp Ensemble Gala Concert on Wednesday 3rd July at An Grianán.

Local talent will also be showcased through the festival’s free ‘Rising Stars’ concerts at The Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda which feature Louth harpers Rachael Dooley and Jaymee Martin (Tuesday 2nd July) and Moya Ridley (Thursday 4th July).

Public Events

The festival will kick off at 3pm on Sunday 30th June in the picturesque surroundings of An Grianán, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth with a pop-up concert featuring local musicians from the Music Generation Louth Harp Ensemble. A harp-makers’ exhibition will also run throughout the afternoon with leading Irish harp makers on hand to discuss their work. Entry to both the afternoon pop-up concert and the exhibition is free of charge and all are welcome.   

The public are also invited to attend an exciting line-up of ticketed concerts taking place at 8pm each evening from Sunday 30th June to Thursday 4th July at an Grianán. Artist-in-residence Gráinne Meyer and harp duo Aisling Urwin and Niamh O’Brien will open proceedings on Sunday 30th June with a dynamic display of Irish harping.

On Monday 1 July, 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 2nd July in ‘Roots and Resonance’, a concert which features artists Méabh McKenna, Gerry Cullen and the Drogheda Singers and Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta.

On Thursday 4th July 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 3rd July at 8pm.

Tickets for all evening concerts (€15 plus booking fees) can be purchased through Eventbrite (An Chúirt Chruitireachta International Festival for Harp 2024 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 of the Harp’ highlights up-and-coming performers in lunchtime concerts at the Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda on Tuesday 2nd July and Thursday 4th July at 1pm. This year’s performers are Rachael Dooley, Jaymee Martin, Hannah Lyons and Moya Ridley. Admission is free and all are welcome, no booking is required.

Younger audiences are welcome at ‘Goltraí agus Geantraí’ performances. Led by harper Alannah Thornburgh, these sessions are designed to introduce toddlers and their accompanying adults to the magic of the harp. They take place at Drogheda Library on Wednesday 3rd July at 11am and 12.30pm. Admission is free but booking is essential. To book a place contact Drogheda Library at (041)9876162.

For a full line-up of festival events see www.harpfestival.ie .

An Chúirt Chruitireachta is generously supported by An Chomhairle Ealaíon | The Arts Council, Louth County Council, Drogheda Credit Union, the Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda and Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland.