Pop-up concert on Mayo courthouse steps for Lá na Cruite | Harp Day

HARPS Alive Lá na Cruite │Harp Day 2021 takes place next Saturday, October 16, online and in person all over the world, celebrating the 1,000-year-old Irish harping tradition.

Harps Alive will feature harps sounding loudly from dawn to dusk in iconic locations throughout Ireland and from as far away as Sydney, the US, New Zealand, Japan, France, Italy, Switzerland and the UK.

In Mayo, led by renowned Mayo harper Gráinne Hambly, the Music Generation Mayo harp ensemble will host a pop-up concert on the steps of the courthouse in Castlebar.

Lá na Cruite │Harp Day ‘21 focuses on three themes: Connecting, Engaging and Collaborating, where harpers connect with nature, engage with one another and their audiences and collaborate with other artists to present a new ’take’ on the harping tradition.

“We are excited that our 2021 programme highlights the vibrance of the harping tradition, its extraordinary popularity and its great diversity,” said Aibhlín McCrann, chair, Cruit Éireann Harp Ireland. “The harp is a vibrant cultural presence across different genres; we are thrilled to be working with so many gifted harpers and artists to shine a spotlight on harping and welcome new audiences to enjoy it.”

Three online concerts will take place where harpers connect, engage and collaborate in an exciting series of initiatives partnering with aerial artists, rap artists, singers and other traditional musicians as they push the harp to its limits, exploring new possibilities and creating unforgettable musical experiences.

A full list of live and online events can be found at https://www.harpireland.ie/.