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.
HHSI Discovery Days are suitable for adults and children over the ages of ten. They have three components:
Hear the rare, exquisite sound of the early Irish harp’s brass-wire strings in evocative original repertory: preludes, laments, song airs and more from the 18th century back to perhaps the late Middle Ages.
Listen to, and ask questions, at an illustrated talk on the fascinating history of the early Irish harp, presented by a world expert in the field.
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.
8 July, 2026
WEDNESDAY, 8 July
8:00 p.m.
Siobhán Armstrong, early Irish harp / directorBojan Čičić, violinReiko Ichise, bass violElizabeth Kenny, theorbo
17th-century music at the English royal court Including William Lawes’ exquisite ‘Harp Consorts’ performed on a multi-row early Irish harp in a modern world premiere.
Location: Kilkenny Castle, The Parade, Kilkenny, Ireland R95 YRK1
Tickets: €18 / €12 (student/unwaged)
9 July, 2026
THURSDAY, 9 July
1:30–2:00 p.m.
Learn all about the Irish harp’s history & traditions from a world expert in a lively, interactive presentation.
Location: Rothe House, 16 Parliament Street, Kilkenny, Ireland R95 P89C
Tickets: FREE ADMISSION
2:15–3:15 p.m.
A hands-on event for up to seven walk-in beginners, to try your hand on a copy of an historical-Irish, wire-srung harp.
3:45–5:00 p.m.
Learn a piece of Irish harp music through exploring an 18th-century manuscript source of it, as taken down directly from an Irish harper.
[Post-beginner to more advanced harpists playing any kind of harp]
Tickets: €20
Harp rental: €15 (1 day)
6:45–7:30 p.m.
early Irish harp + voice
Listen to rarely heard 17th- and 18th-century harpers’ songs, performed by a prize-winning musician.
10 July, 2026
FRIDAY, 10 July
Iarla Ó Lionáird, voiceSorcha Ní Scolaí, uilleann pipesSiobhán Armstrong, early Irish harpEibhlís Ní Ríordáin, early Irish harp + voice
Leading local, national and international performers present soulful Irish music for voice, harp and/or pipes.