There are a variety of Laois musicians taking part in ‘An Chúirt Chruitireachta’, an annual harp festival in Louth from June 30 to July 5.
The esteemed music festival began in 1986 and attracts some of the best musicians from across the country.
The festival includes a number of free pop up concerts, exhibitions as well as an exciting line up of ticketed events that are spread over the course of the week.
Among these acts are Laois duo Robert Harvey and Eilís Lavelle performing in ‘Sounds of Oriel’ on Monday July 1 on the An Grianán stage.
They will be performing alongside The Music Generation Laois Harp Ensemble who return to the festival on the Annual Ensemble Day.
A pop up concert will kick off the festival at 3pm on Sunday June 30 with backdrop of An Grionán, Termonfeckin, County Louth.
This will be succeeded by a harp makers exhibition where leading harp makers in the country will be on hand to discuss and demonstrate their work.
As will be the case every evening, a ticketed concert will take place at 8pm on the An Grianán stage.
The first to take to the stage will be Artist-in-residence Gráinne Meyer and harp duo Aisling Urwin and Niamh O’Brien with a dynamic display of harping.
The Laois pair Eilís Lavelle and Robert Harve will be joined by Zoë Conway and John McIntyre as expert exponents of traditional music will take to the stage.
Audiences will be treated to more exciting approaches to song on Tuesday when ‘Roots and Resonance’, a concert which features artists Méabh McKenna, Gerry Cullen and the Drogheda Singers and Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta.
Thursday will continue the musical celebrations with Cormac de Barra, Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich and Suntou Susso performing in a captivating finale concert showcasing their rich musical knowledge.
Along with these performances there is also a series of fringe events which will be held in Drogheda Town.
Such as Rising Stars of the Harp which will highlight up and coming talent. Younger audiences will be welcome to attend ‘Goltraía agus Geantraí’ led by Alannah Thonburgh.
For a full line-up of festival events see www.harpfestival.ie.
