PICTURES: O’Carolan Harp Festival and Summer School celebrates resounding success

The picturesque village of Keadue has once again proven why it is a cultural gem on Ireland’s traditional music calendar, as the 2025 O’Carolan Harp Festival and Summer School concluded its most successful edition in years.

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Photos: David Knight

Running from July 28th to August 4th, the event attracted musicians, dancers, and music lovers from across Ireland and around the globe, solidifying its place as one of Ireland's premier celebrations of traditional music.

This year’s festivities began in spectacular fashion with an outstanding commemorative concert in memory of Josie McDermott, featuring over 50 musicians who filled the hall to capacity. The evening set the tone for a week of exceptional performances and heartfelt community spirit.

The Summer School once again proved a major draw, offering a wide range of workshops and masterclasses for all ages and skill levels. From harp, tin whistle, bodhrán, fiddle, and flute to button accordion, banjo, set dancing and the uniquely Irish Sean-Nós dancing, participants immersed themselves in the rich traditions of Irish music under the guidance of expert tutors.

On Wednesday evening, the spotlight shone on local talent, as Fiachra Guihen, Emma Benson, Sophie Daly, and Aoife Guckian delivered a memorable concert in the elegant setting of Kilronan Castle, showcasing the incredible skill of Keadue’s own harpers.

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Friday night brought an exciting new collaboration with Harp Ireland, presenting three of the finest harpers in the world – Laoise Kelly, Cormac De Barra, and Anne-Marie O’Farrell – in a concert that captivated the audience and underscored the festival’s commitment to honouring the tradition of Turlough O’Carolan and the harp. 

Saturday was devoted to the internationally renowned Harp Competitions, generously sponsored by Arigna Fuels, Harvest Flames. The highly anticipated Open Competition saw remarkable performances from competitors across the globe, with Ria Adachi from Japan emerging as the well-deserved winner.

The festival reached a high point on Sunday night with the main concert, featuring the legendary Seán Keane and his band. A standout moment came when Keane performed his song ‘Carolan’ alongside the open competition winner and local harpers, creating a poignant link between Ireland’s rich harp tradition and contemporary artistry.

As one of Ireland’s longest-running and most respected traditional music festivals, the O’Carolan Harp Festival continues to serve as a beacon for harpers and music lovers worldwide. This year’s digital outreach also brought the festival’s magic to an even wider audience, ensuring the timeless music of Turlough O’Carolan resonates far beyond Keadue.

Festival Chairperson Declan Noone expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated committee members and the countless local volunteers whose tireless efforts ensured the week’s success. He also extended sincere thanks to the festival’s main and local sponsors, whose generosity makes the event possible, and acknowledged the phenomenal media coverage across newspapers, radio, and online platforms that helped share the spirit of the festival far and wide.

For more information check out www.ocarolanharpfestival.ie