The O’Carolan Harp Festival and Summer School, one of Ireland’s most esteemed celebrations of traditional Irish music and culture, will take place from July 29th to August 5th, 2024. Nestled 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.
The Summer School commencing on Monday 29th July will provide daily masterclass workshops in Harp, Bodhran, tin whistle, set dancing and banjo taking place in the morning and classes in button accordion, fiddle, concertina, flute, traditional singing, beginners and advanced sean nós dancing taking place in the evening.
Registration for the Summer School is available in advance online, on our website at www.ocarolanharpfestival.ie.
We are delighted to announce that the Harp Festival and Summer School will be officially opened by Attracta Brady President of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann on Monday night 29th July at 8.30pm. Following the opening we have a very special remembrance concert for Arthur Boyle former committee member. This concert promises to be a memorable night of music, song and Stories.
The O’Carolan Country Céilí Band will play at the céilí on Tuesday 30th July and our Friday nights céilí will feature All Ireland Champions the Piper Cross Céilí band.
Two highlight concerts during the week will see our very own local harpers Fiachra Guihen, Emma Benson and Sophie Daly performing with well know musicians Mossie Martin, Micheál Fitzgibbon and Clodagh Daly on Wednesday July 31st at the Harp Recital in Kilronan Castle and of course our special Tutors concert on Thursday August 1st show casing the very best of Irish Traditional Music, Harp playing song and dance. Compere on the night will be Senator Eugene Murphy,.
Keadue Tidy Towns are running a 5km Fun Run/Walk on Friday evening August 2nd, and our local sports field committee are running a family fun day on Saturday August 3rd commencing at 2pm.
We continue to have competitors travel the globe to compete in the Arigna Fuels sponsored O’Carolan International Harp competitions commencing from 10:30am on Saturday 3rd August. This continues to be one of the key signature events of the Harp Festival & Summer School and we are indebted to our local Sponsors Arigna Fuels Ltd who have sponsored this prestigious event since the festival started in 1978.
Saturday night August 3rd features “GomBean” a play performed by Niamh McGrath, which is set in a small town in Sligo, home of Grace O’Malley, a reluctant coffee slinger, still living off the highs of a tragically cut-short wrestling career.
The Festival Parade on Sunday August 4th will be followed with a live open-air concert at the GigRig by the fantastic traditional Irish music group Seoid featuring well know musicians Kenny Donagher, Kerrie Herrity, John Dwyer and our very own Fiachra Guihen.
Cherish the Ladies are back again this year for our big concert on Sunday August 4th in the newly refurbished St. Ronan’s Hall from 9pm. This is always a packed-out event and early booking is advised.
Tickets are available from the festival website at www.ocarolanharpfestival.ie or by ringing 087 7745878.
A wreath laying ceremony at O’Carolan’s grave, followed by a lecture in the fabulous Kilronan Castle nearby gets the concluding bank holiday Monday underway. This year’s lecture will be given by Professor Lilis Ó Laoire, on “Place, Prayer and Power at the holy wells of Ireland.
More live open-air entertainment will take place at the GigRig on the Bank holiday Monday with our local CCE group playing at 3pm followed by the hugely popular David James and his band.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to end, and the festival will conclude with the hugely memorable international Door Dancing competition which will see all styles of traditional Irish dance compete for the title of 2024 Junior and Senior Door Dancing Champion. Compere on the night will be Senator Eugene Murphy.
Céilí Nights, Music & Song Sessions, A Tutor’s Concert, Harp Recitals and more… Keadue deserves a visit from Monday 29th July to Monday 5th August.
See www.ocarolanharpfestival.ie or follow on Facebook – Brochures available from local tourist information offices, theatres, hotel & B&B lobbies, shops or any committee members.
