Early Irish harp discovery events around Ireland

Discovery Days

Would you like to hear, learn more about, and even get your hands on a copy of an ancient Irish harp and be taught a tune?

Join us at one of our HHSI Discovery Days around Ireland, where you can meet us, hear this rare instrument played in concert, have your questions answered at an illustrated talk, and – if you sign up early enough! – take one of up to eight places in a hands-on Beginners’ workshop.

What's involved?

HHSI Discovery Days are suitable for adults and children over the ages of ten. They have three components:

Listen

Hear a prize-winning singer and Ireland’s foremost historical harpist collaborate in a 45-min. lunchtime concert of evocative, 18th-century harp songs and solo harp music.

Learn

Listen to, and ask questions, at a 45-min. illustrated talk on the fascinating history of the old Irish harp, put together by a world expert in the field.

Have a Go

Join a 75-minute, hands-on workshop for absolute-beginners. Harps copied from medieval to 18th-century originals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Upcoming Events

Saturday 30th September, 11am

Harps Alive | An Chruit Bheo | Harps Leevin 2023 BELFAST

Try your hand at the early Irish harp with Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin

Meet the Historical Harp Society of Ireland, hear this rare instrument played, have your questions answered, and – if you sign up early enough – take one of the few places in a hands-on beginners’ workshop. Harps copied from medieval to 18th-century originals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

FREE ADMISSION

Level: No harp experience required

Location: First Presbyterian Church 41 Rosemary Street Belfast BT1 1QB United Kingdom

Contact: To reserve a place in the beginners workshop, contact info@irishharp.org

To register, click 'Learn More'

Learn more

Sunday 22nd October, 10am

Harps Alive | An Chruit Bheo | Harps Leevin 2023 DUBLIN

Try Your Hand at the Early Irish Harp

Meet the Historical Harp Society of Ireland, hear this rare instrument played, have your questions answered, and – if you sign up early enough – take one of the few places in a hands-on beginners’ workshop. Listen to early Irish harp music with Siobhán Armstrong, find out more about its fascinating history at a 45-minute illustrated talk with Simon Chadwick, and join a 75-minute, hands-on workshop for beginners with Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin. Harps copied from medieval to 18th-century originals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

FREE ADMISSION

Level: No harp experience required

Location: Royal Irish Academy of Music, 36-38 Westland Row, Dublin 2, D02 WY89

Contact: To reserve a place in the beginners workshop, contact info@irishharp.org

To register, click 'Learn More'

Learn more