Glenullin harper to feature at international harp festival
Glenullin harpist Lauren Ní Néill and Augher fiddler Eugene McKenna are among the artists featured at this year’s festival
Now in its 40th year, An Chúirt Chruitireachta will see harp players from all over Ireland and around the globe gather in Termonfeckin Co. Louth for an immersive week of harping from June 28 to July 3.
Internationally renowned artists and exceptional tutors will come together to perform, mentor and celebrate in a week dedicated to the Irish harp.
Glenullin harpist Lauren Ní Néill and Augher fiddler Eugene McKenna are among the artists featured at this year’s festival.
They will perform in concert on Wednesday, July 1.
Lauren has also been commissioned to create a new arrangement for harp ensemble which will be premiered at the concert.
This year's festival features a variety of events, including daytime workshops, evening concerts, talks, exhibitions, pop-ups, a céilí, fringe events, rising stars concerts and a finale concert.
Tickets are available at harpfestival.ie.
Established in 1986, An Chúirt Chruitireachta is an annual international harp festival run by Cairde na Cruite (Friends of the Harp). The festival has been at the forefront of integrating the harp into the wider world of Irish traditional music. 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.
Students will stay onsite in An Grianán, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth 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.
A unique feature of this year’s festival is the formation of two festival ensembles, featuring harp players from across Ireland, who will perform specially-commissioned arrangements by leading harpers Lauren Ní Néill and Siobhan Buckley in an evening concert on Wednesday, July 1.
Máire Ní Chathasaigh, leading international harper and a founding member of the festival, is among this year’s tutors.
“I’ve been teaching at Cairde na Cruite's An Chúirt Chruitireachta, the International Festival for Irish Harp, every year since it started in 1986. Wherever In the world I’ve been touring, I’ve always been sure to make it back to Termonfeckin, Co Louth for what is the world’s premier festival for Irish harp,” she said.
“The Festival is harp immersion heaven: a unique, inspiring and life-enhancing celebration in a beautiful location where the cares of the world seem to recede into the distance. The warm camaraderie, wonderful atmosphere and top-notch music cast a very special spell, drawing participants back year after year.”
The festival will kick off on Sunday, June 28 in the picturesque surroundings of An Grianán, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth with an evening concert, ‘Fáilte Isteach’ featuring Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín and sibling duo Michelle and Louise Mulcahy.
Monday June 29th’s evening concert, ‘Connecting Cultures’, features internationally renowned virtuosos Catrin Finch and Aoife Ní Bhriain.
Workshops and events continue throughout the week culminating in a ‘Finale’ Concert on Thursday, July 2 featuring premieres of five newly commissioned works for Irish harp by John Buckley, Seán Doherty, Eoghan Desmond, Tom Lane and Yue Song, funded by the Arts Council Commissions Award, performed by Fiona Gryson, Rachel Duffy, Síofra Ní Dhubhghaill and Maria Matthews and performances by acclaimed duo Síle Denvir and Barry Kerr.
Members of the public are invited to attend the exciting line-up of ticketed concerts taking place at 7.30pm on Sunday, June 28, Monday, June 29, Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 at an Grianán.
Festival places can also be booked for those who wish to immerse themselves in a week of Irish harp playing:
What previous festival participants had to say: “It is hard to pick out what I liked most but overall I’d say the word transmission sums it all up. You are continuing a tradition of passing on the skills and enthusiasm and appreciation of the Irish harping tradition stretching back for centuries. Here, I have been made feel part of a living tradition with a very bright future.”
As part of the festival, a series of fringe events will be held in Drogheda town throughout the week.
‘Rising Stars’ recitals highlight up-and-coming performers in lunchtime concerts at the Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda on Tuesday, June 30 and on Thursday, July 2. Admission is free and no booking is required.
The ‘Goltraí agus Geantraí’ sessions led by harpist Claire O’Donnell are designed to introduce babies, toddlers and their accompanying adults to the magic of the harp. They take place at Drogheda Library on Tuesday, June 30. Admission is free but booking is essential by contacting Drogheda Library directly.
There are also day packages and residential packages available for festival participant places. Prices start at just €150 and we warmly welcome harpers of every standard from all over the world to our 2026 festival. Places can be booked at www.harpfestival.ie