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19 Apr 2026
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19 Apr 2026
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Nora Casey, resident harpist at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, with Bunratty Castle Entertainers and (below) Dunguaire Castle's resident harpist, Patty Gibbons | PICTURES: Eamon Ward
THE IRISH emblem, the harp, will be celebrated at a ‘unique festival’ which is taking place in County Clare this weekend.
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is hosting ‘A Celebration of the Irish Harp’ this Saturday and Sunday. The two-day festival coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet.
The celebration is in collaboration with internationally renowned harpist, Deirdre O’Brien Vaughan, Director of the Irish Traditional Music Institute.
“Ireland's heraldic emblem is the harp, and we are the only nation to have a musical instrument as our national emblem,” Ms O’Brien Vaughan said, adding: “The celebration will bring the story of the Irish harp to life”.
The inaugural event will feature harpists and harp music experts from across Ireland with a series of exhibitions, talks and performances.
Marie Brennan, Events Manager at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park said: “The Irish harp is the one musical instrument that people associate with this long-running event and, therefore, we are delighted to be able to celebrate its status as a symbol of Irish culture at the visitor attraction.”
Author, historian and founding CEO of Shannon Heritage, Cian O’Carroll officially opens the festival in the banquet hall at 1pm on Saturday.
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