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 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.

Learn

Play the early Irish harp in a workshop for absolute beginners. Harps copied from medieval to 18th-century originals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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

Friday, 20th September

Culture Night 2024 — Session 1

National Museum of Ireland, Dublin

Join the Historical Harp Society of Ireland at the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare St, Dublin on Culture Night, where we will celebrate Ireland’s illustrious, ancient (wire-strung) harp.

  • 2:30 p.m. LISTEN to this rare instrument being played in concert
  • 3:00 p.m. LEARN all about its fascinating history in an illustrated talk
  • 3:30 p.m. HAVE A GO yourself in a hands-on workshop (limited places)

FREE ADMISSION

Level: No harp experience required

Location: National Museum of Ireland, Kildare St, Dublin 2, D02 YK38

Contact: To reserve a place in the HAVE A GO workshop, please contact info@irishharp.org

Harps copied from medieval to 18th-century originals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Learn more

Friday, 20th September

Culture Night 2024 — Session 2

National Museum of Ireland, Dublin

Join the Historical Harp Society of Ireland at the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare St, Dublin on Culture Night, where we will celebrate Ireland’s illustrious, ancient (wire-strung) harp.

  • 6:00 p.m. LISTEN to this rare instrument being played in concert
  • 6:30 p.m. LEARN all about its fascinating history in an illustrated talk
  • 7:00 p.m. HAVE A GO yourself in a hands-on workshop (limited places)

FREE ADMISSION

Level: No harp experience required

Location: National Museum of Ireland, Kildare St, Dublin 2, D02 YK38

Contact: To reserve a place in the HAVE A GO workshop, please contact info@irishharp.org

Harps copied from medieval to 18th-century originals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Learn more

20 October, 2024

Harp Day Weekend 2024

In association with MTU Cork School of Music

The Historical Harp Society of Ireland will visit Cork School of Music for an early Irish (wire-strung) harp Discovery Day with students and staff.

  • 1:00–1:45 p.m. LISTEN Recital: Dr Siobhán Armstrong (harp) and Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin (harp and voice)
  • 1:45–2:15 p.m. LEARN Illustrated talk: ’The Early Irish Harp through History' – Dr Siobhán Armstrong
  • 2:45 HAVE A GO Workshop: ’Straight from the Harpers': 18th-century Irish harp music – discover original sources & try out newly discovered performance practice – Dr Siobhán Armstrong

FREE ADMISSION

Level: No harp experience required

Location: MTU Cork School of Music, Union Quay, Cork, T12 E9HY

Learn more