Award-winning harp star to headline O’Carolan Festival concert
Mel Mercier’s groundbreaking Sonóir among centrepieces of major July showcase in Keadue
The O’Carolan Harp Festival 2026 has unveiled a standout line-up for next summer, with an ambitious headline concert set to bring world-class talent to Keadue on Friday, July 31.
Taking place at O’Carolan Centre at St Ronan’s Hall, the concert will celebrate the richness of Ireland’s harping tradition — from classical and baroque influences to bold contemporary sounds.
At the centre of the programme is Sonóir, a major commissioned work by acclaimed Irish percussionist and composer Mel Mercier. The piece premiered to strong praise at the Royal Irish Academy of Music last November and combines two Irish harps with bassoon, viola da gamba and traditional percussion.
Mercier described the composition as bringing together “for the first time, the rich sonorities of two harps, bassoon, viola da gamba and traditional percussion”.
He added that he was delighted to have been commissioned by Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland to create a new work for the Irish harp and contribute to 21st-century innovation in the repertoire.
The performance will feature a stellar cast of musicians including harpists Niamh O’Brien and Alannah Thornburgh, alongside Malachy Robinson, John Leonard and Mercier himself.
Festival organisers said the evening would offer audiences a rare chance to hear some of the finest musicians in the country perform in an intimate setting deeply linked to the legacy of legendary harper Turlough O'Carolan.
The concert will also feature the Keadue Harp Ensemble, with local young performers including Fiachra Guihen, Emma Benson, Sophie Daly and Aoife Guckian.
Founded in 2017, Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland works to promote and develop harp music nationally and internationally, supported by the Arts Council and Heritage Council.
Tickets and festival details are available through the official festival website.