Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland (CÉHI) will present the ninth annual Lá na Cruite | Harp Day on Saturday, 18 October, with events lighting up Clare, as well as towns, cities, and communities across Ireland — and hundreds more taking place worldwide.
This year’s theme, Nasc (meaning “Connection”), celebrates the harp’s unique power to bring people together across generations, communities, and cultures. From Cork to Donegal, harpers will fill concert halls, classrooms, and streets with music that continues a living 1,000-year-old Irish tradition, recognised by UNESCO as part of the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Across Clare and all over Ireland, public events invite audiences to experience the harp in new and surprising ways. At the same time, harpers around the world will connect with one another through the Harper’s Call Initiative, which in 2024 streamed over 170 performances from international and Irish players, linking the Irish celebration to a global community of harpers through a unique, online interactive map.
Tríona Ní Dhuibhir, CEO of CÉHI, said: “Lá na Cruite | Harp Day has become a joyful point in the calendar where harpers and communities across Ireland come together to celebrate our national instrument. What makes it so special is the diversity of events that show the many different ways people connect with and relate to the harp. This year’s theme of Nasc reflects those connections across generations and cultures. ”
“I’m really excited about this year’s programme of events for Harp Day in Clare and can’t wait to hear Síle Denvir and Barry Kerr in glór. Thanks to Marie Byrne for hosting, and also for inviting me to play at lunchtime before we head to The Salmon Bookshop, Ennistymon where I’m joined by Paul Dooley and Kseniia Rusnak.” adds Clare harper, Aisling Lyons.
This year also sees the launch of Sharing Harps, a new CÉHI Call for Harps initiative connecting unused instruments with a new generation of players, who cannot afford an instrument of their own. Donated harps will find homes with young harpers across Ireland, ensuring every harp continues to tell its story and every aspiring harper has the chance to play.
Beyond Ireland, celebrations will take place from Manchester to Paris, Cape Cod to Finland, Japan to the USA, as part of the Global Call for Harp Ambassadors. Harpers, teachers, and enthusiasts are invited to host their own Harp Day gatherings and send recordings for streaming on our worldwide interactive map on www.harprieland.ie, showcasing how the harp continues to inspire and connect communities.
Clare Harp Day highlights in Clare
Evening Concert, 8.30pm glór, Ennis, Co. Clare – In partnership with glór, featuring harper Síle Denvir and multi-instrumentalist Barry Kerr, while renowned Clare harper/composer Aisling Lyons performs at lunchtime in glór 2.30pm.
Harp Performance in The Salmon Bookshop, Ennistymon with Aisling Lyons, Paul Dooley and Kseniia Rusnak at 7pm.
