Early Irish harp discovery events around Ireland

Discovery Days

Would you like to hear, learn more about, and even get your hands on a copy of an ancient Irish harp and be taught a tune?

Join us at one of our HHSI Discovery Days around Ireland, where you can meet us, hear this rare instrument played in concert, have your questions answered at an illustrated talk, and – if you sign up early enough! – take one of up to eight places in a hands-on Beginners’ workshop.

What's involved?

HHSI Discovery Days are suitable for adults and children over the ages of ten. They have three components:

Listen

Hear the rare, exquisite sound of the early Irish harp’s brass-wire strings in evocative original repertory: preludes, laments, song airs and more from the 18th century back to perhaps the late Middle Ages.

Learn

Play the early Irish harp in a workshop for absolute beginners. Harps copied from medieval to 18th-century originals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Have a Go

Join a 75-minute, hands-on workshop for absolute-beginners. Harps copied from medieval to 18th-century originals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Upcoming Events

18 October, 2025

National Harp Day 2025

In association with East Cork Early Music Festival

Join the Historical Harp Society of Ireland at East Cork Early Music Festival on 18 October, National Harp Day, to celebrate Ireland’s illustrious, ancient harp with a day of Discovery events.

  • 11:00 a.m. LEARN all about the early Irish harp's fascinating history in an illustrated talk — Dr Siobhán Armstrong
  • 11:45 a.m. HAVE A GO yourself in a hands-on workshop (limited places) — Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin
  • Time TBC LISTEN to this rare instrument being played by early Irish harpist Siobhán Armstrong with Ireland’s finest Renaissance consort, the Earls of Ormond.

Location: Doneraile Court, Doneraile estate, Doneraile, Co. Cork P51 XR66

Harps copied from medieval to 18th-century originals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for the Have-a-Go workshop. No harp experience required.

Learn more

25 October, 2025

Limerick Discovery Day

In association with H.I.P.S.T.E.R.

Join the Historical Harp Society of Ireland and H.I.P.S.T.E.R. on 25 October for a day of Discovery events to celebrate Ireland’s illustrious, ancient harp.

  • 1:00 p.m. LISTEN to this rare instrument being played in a concert with Dr Siobhán Armstrong (harp) and Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin (harp and voice)
  • 2:00 p.m. LEARN all about the early Irish harp's fascinating history in an illustrated talk — Dr Siobhán Armstrong
  • 3:00 p.m. HAVE A GO yourself in a hands-on workshop (limited places) — Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin

Location: Irish Chamber Orchestra Studio, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co. Limerick V94 T9PX

Harps copied from medieval to 18th-century originals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for the Have-a-Go workshop. No harp experience required.

Learn more