Derry comes alive for Lá na Cruite / Harp Day 2025

Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland (CÉHI) will present the ninth annual Lá na Cruite | Harp Day on Saturday, October 18, with events lighting up towns, cities, and communities across Ireland — and hundreds more taking place worldwide.

This year’s theme, Nasc (meaning “Connection”), celebrates the harp’s unique power to bring people together across generations, communities, and cultures. From Cork to Donegal, harpers will fill concert halls, classrooms, and streets with music that continues a living 1,000-year-old Irish tradition, recognised by UNESCO as part of the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Across Ireland, public events invite audiences to experience the harp in new and surprising ways. At the same time, harpers around the world will connect with one another through the Harper’s Call Initiative, which in 2024 streamed over 170 performances from international and Irish players, linking the Irish celebration to a global community of harpers through a unique, online interactive map.

Tríona Ní Dhuibhir, CEO of CÉHI, said: “Lá na Cruite | Harp Day has become a joyful point in the calendar where harpers and communities across Ireland come together to celebrate our national instrument. What makes it so special is the diversity of events that show the many different ways people connect with and relate to the harp.

“This year’s theme of Nasc reflects those connections across generations and cultures. Whether in schools, concert halls, club nights, on GAA pitches, hilltops or streets, Ireland’s harping tradition continues to unite people everywhere.”

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A post shared by Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin (@culturlanndoire)

“Harping is such an important part of our history and culture and it’s fantastic that an initiative such as Lá na Cruite is celebrated across the island, including with Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin on October 25. I’m really looking forward to leading a workshop and short recital with the students and fellow workshop leader, Gráinne Meyer, to tie in with the celebrations!” adds Derry harper, Lucia McGinnis.

The event is due to take place on Saturday, October 25 between 10.00am – 2.00pm, with further details available on the Cultúrlann website here.

This year also sees the launch of Sharing Harps, a new CÉHI Call for Harps initiative connecting unused instruments with a new generation of players, who cannot afford an instrument of their own. Donated harps will find homes with young harpers across Ireland, ensuring every harp continues to tell its story and every aspiring harper has the chance to play.

Opry le Daniel returns to TG4 with live concerts recorded at Derry's Millennium Forum

The new series kicks off with Classic Country, featuring Lisa McHugh (Glasgow), John McNicholl (Derry) and Gerry Guthrie (Co. Mayo)

Beyond Ireland, celebrations will take place from Manchester to Paris, Cape Cod to Finland, Japan to the USA, as part of the Global Call for Harp Ambassadors. Harpers, teachers, and enthusiasts are invited to host their own Harp Day gatherings and send recordings for streaming on our worldwide interactive map on www.harprieland.ie, showcasing how the harp continues to inspire and connect communities.

Derry harper Lucia McGinnis.

Other Harp Day highlights include, Harping with Friends: Harp School Collaboration, in Garvagh, Co. Derry. There will be workshops and recitals organised by Hampsey and Causeway Harp Schools led by Nollaig Ní Bhrollaigh and Katy Bustard.