Early Irish Harp Festival to return to Kilkenny this July

Discover the world of the exquisite, ancient Gaelic harp in a full schedule of 55 events: concerts, talks, workshops, social occasions and more in Kilkenny City, and online from July 26 to August 1.

Immerse yourself each day with hands-on workshops; presentations on history, repertory, and instruments; and live Q & A with masters of Irish music traditions. Hear some of Ireland’s, and the world’s, finest historical and traditional musicians in festival concerts, recreating the glorious sound world of the early Irish harp.

“Our aim is to share with you the music of the old Irish harpers, exploring as much of their world as is now possible, using everything from 17th-century manuscripts to cutting-edge, 21st-century science. Hear, play and sing music familiar to Gaelic chieftains, and in the Great Irish Houses, while having a hugely enjoyable social week with your fellow festival participants!” says festival director, Siobhán Armstrong.

A number of evening concerts will take place at Kilkenny Castle as part of the festival. On Sunday, July 28 at 8pm Masters of Irish Music will feature Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhride on voice, Siobhán Armstrong on early Irish harp and Martin Tourish on accordian.

A one-off gathering of three of Ireland’s leading performers of evocative, soulful Irish music. Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde, the prize-winning sean-nós [‘old style’] singer, will perform with Siobhán Armstrong, Ireland’s foremost performer on the ancient Irish, brass-wire-strung harp. Musician and composer, Martin Tourish, [Young Musician of the Year, 2008], makes a rare Kilkenny appearance also, in an evening of solo singing and harpers’ songs from the ancient Irish harping tradition, together with lively instrumental music. Presented in the 1000-year-old Parade Tower of Kilkenny Castle on Sunday, July 28 at 8pm.

Described as ‘the single most important living source of Gaelic musical culture’, acclaimed Scottish piper, and singer, Allan McDonald, makes a rare Kilkenny appearance on July 30. He will be joined by historical harpist, Tamzin Elliott – in their Irish debut – playing the ravishing, ancient Irish harp, with its rare brass-wire strings. Also performing at this one-off Kilkenny date is rising British star of the Renaissance lute, Toby Carr, and historical-music soprano, Róisín O’Grady, in a programme of intimate music from Scotland, Ireland, England and France in the evocative surroundings of the 1000-year-old Parade Tower at Kilkenny Castle.

Tickets are €18 and €12 (student & unwaged) and €28 for both concerts. There is no live streaming: concert videos will be available to all ticket holders from August to December.

There will also be a series of free teatime concerts where audiences can hear the ancient sound of the old Irish harp, played by master performers, in intimate ‘teatime’ concerts at Coláiste Pobail Osraí secondary school, 6-7 Ormonde Rd, Kilkenny.

For more see /festival.irishharp.org/