O'Carolan Harp Festival 2019

The O’Carolan Harp Festival in Nobber, Co. Meath honours the poet, composer and harper Turlough O’Carolan, who was born there in 1670, with a series of events commencing on the 4th of October and running until the 6th of October. This year will see the festival celebrating its 32nd year.

The Official Opening of this years O’Carolan Harp Festival will performed by Tomás MacUileagóid in the George Eogan Cultural & Heritage Centre at 8pm followed by Friday nights concert featuring the Junior Meath Harp Ensemble, Helen Davies & Poul Høxbro, Cormac de Barra & Ann Marie O’Farrell. To finish off the evening there will be an open session in Dee Local Pub.

Starting Saturday morning at 9am, registration for the Workshops and Competitions commences in the O’Carolan College.  It is advised that for those wishing to attend the workshops or compete in one of the competitions that they book their places ONLINE due to the popularity of these workshops and competitions.

The Harp Workshops will run from 10am until 1pm and will be taught through the oral tradition and will focus on Irish traditional music. The Tutors for this years Harp Workshops will be Gráinne Hambly, Cormac De Barra, Kim Fleming and Michael Rooney. Tutors will be allocated on the day.

Also on Saturday between 10am and 5pm there will be a Harp Makers Exhibition where you can try the latest Salvi Harps or treat your harp to a service.

The O’Carolan Harp Festival Concert on Saturday night will again be in the George Eogan Cultural & Heritage Centre and will feature the Louth Harp Ensemble under the direction of Deirdre ni Buchalla, followed by Kavan Donohoe from Cavan, then the wonderful musicians of the Meath Harp Ensemble will take to the stage led by Dearbhail Finnegan and finally Michael Rooney plays the harp! This will definitely be a night not to be missed! Then to complete the evening, there will be an open session. This time the venue will be Keogan’s Pub, all musician’s welcome.

Sunday the October 6th will begin with a Traditional Mass (Aifreann Traidisúnta) in St John the Baptist church at 11am. Music will be provided by members by the O’Carolan branch of Comhaltas.

For more information and to view the full programme of events, please visit the O’Carolan Harp Festival website.

Tickets for concerts, competitions and workshops are available for online purchase by clicking the link Book Tickets.

For the latest up to date information about the festival, please follow it on Facebook. If you have any queries concerning the festival, then please call Dearbhail Finnegan on +353 (0)87 618 6305 or send an email to nobberharpfestival@gmail.com.