This year’s O’Carolan Harp Festival and Summer School – one of Ireland’s most esteemed celebrations of traditional Irish music and culture – will be held from July 29th to August 5th.
Held in the picturesque village of Keadue, this annual festival honours the legacy of the legendary harper Turlough O’Carolan, and brings together musicians, artists, and enthusiasts from around the globe.
A host of exciting events have been organised as part of the festival – from concert to lectures, parades to fun runs – in addition to the ever-popular harp competitions and eagerly-anticipated annual summer school, which commences on Monday, July 29th.
In the morning, the summer school will provide daily masterclass workshops in harp, bodhran, tin whistle, set dancing and banjo, while classes in button accordion, fiddle, concertina, flute, traditional singing, and beginners and advanced sean nós dancing will take place in the evening. Registration is available in advance online, at ocarolanharpfestival.ie.
Official opening/early events
The official opening of the festival and summer school will take place at 8.20 pm on Monday night, the 29th of July. Organisers are delighted to announce that the official opening will be performed by President of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Attracta Brady.
Following the opening, there will be a very special remembrance concert for Arthur Boyle, former committee member.
The entertainment will continue with a céilí on Tuesday, July 30th, which will see the O’Carolan Country Céilí Band perform.
Two highlight concerts during the week will see the area’s very own local harpers – Fiachra Guihen, Emma Benson and Sophie Daly – performing with well-known musicians Mossie Martin, Micheál Fitzgibbon and Clodagh Daly. First up will be the Harp Recital in Kilronan Castle, which will take place on Wednesday, July 31st. The second is the special tutors concert, taking place on Thursday, August 1st, which will showcase the very best of Irish traditional music, harp-playing, song, and dance. Compere on the night will be Senator Eugene Murphy.
On Friday, August 2nd, Keadue Tidy Towns are running a 5km Fun Run/Walk from 7.30 pm. This will be followed at 9 pm by a céilí, which will feature All-Ireland champions, the Piper Cross Céilí band.
Saturday August 3
As usual, competitors will be travelling the globe to compete in the Arigna Fuels-sponsored O’Carolan International Harp competitions that run as part of the festival, and which commence this year from 10.30 am on Saturday, August 3rd.
The harp competitions continue to be one of the key signature events of the Harp Festival and Summer School, and organisers are indebted and very grateful to local sponsors Arigna Fuels Ltd, who have sponsored this prestigious event since the festival started in 1978.
Saturday, August 3rd, will also see the local sports field committee run a family fun day, commencing at 2 pm. Later that evening, there will be a performance of ‘GomBean’ with Niamh McGrath. Set in a small town in Sligo, the play follows Grace O’Malley, a reluctant coffee slinger still living off the highs of a tragically cut-short wrestling career.
Sunday August 4
Sunday, August 4th, will see the Festival Parade take place. This will be followed by a live open-air concert at the GigRig by the fantastic traditional Irish music group Seoid, featuring well-known musicians Kenny Donagher, Kerrie Herrity, John Dwyer, and the area’s very own Fiachra Guihen.
Cherish the Ladies are back again this year, with a big concert on Sunday, August 4th, in the newly-refurbished St Ronan’s Hall. Early booking is advised. Tickets are available from the festival website (ocarolanharpfestival.ie) or by ringing 087 7745878.
Monday August 5
Bank holiday Monday (August 5th) will get underway with a wreath-laying ceremony at O’Carolan’s grave, to be followed by a lecture in Kilronan Castle. This year’s lecture will be given by Professor Lilis Ó Laoire, and will be focused on ‘Place, Prayer and Power at the holy wells of Ireland’.
This last day will see more live open-air entertainment take place at the GigRig, with the local CCE group playing at 3 pm, followed by David James and his band.
The festival will conclude with the renowned international door dancing competition, with the titles of 2024 Junior and Senior Door Dancing Champion up for grabs. Compere will again be Senator Eugene Murphy.
More details about this year’s O’Carolan Harp Festival and Summer School can be found at ocarolanharpfestival.ie or via the festival’s Facebook page.
