I am thrilled to tell you about an upcoming concert on the 19th of October at Friars Gate Theatre which is the result of an exciting new project I have been undertaking with harp players of all ages and abilities to create and perform original music for the harp. As the recipient of the Dolores O’Riordan Music Bursary, I am honoured to have had the opportunity to make this project a reality.

The music we are performing is very close to my heart. It is inspired by the county and locality I am from and the people I have met along the way. One particular piece is a tribute to Robert Hogg, a local man from Castleconnell who was a giant of Irish music and a repository of knowledge on music, song, and stories. His influence has shaped my own musical journey so much that I wanted to honour that through composition. I am passionate about communicating that composition is part of a time-honoured process, particularly in the harping tradition that dates back to Turlough O’Carolan (1670–1738), but it remains very much relevant today. Through this project, I hope to show how the harp can continue to evolve and resonate with new generations.

What makes this project truly special for me is the diversity of our collective. The ACM Centre has been the venue for rehearsals, where professionals, amateurs and talented young harp players alike have met to share skills and express creativity through musical arrangement. Adding to the evening, Ahalin National School will perform as part of the concert, invited because of their engagement with Music Generation Limerick County.

Supported by Limerick City and County Council, the Limerick Arts Office, Music Generation Limerick County, and Cruít Éireann | Harp Ireland, this concert will be a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and community — shining a spotlight on Ireland’s most iconic instrument. I can’t wait to share this journey with our audience on 19 October.

Event Details
📅 Date: Sunday, 19 October 2025
🕡 Doors: 6:30pm | 🎵 Concert: 7:00pm
📍 Venue: Friars’ Gate Theatre, Sarsfield Street, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, V35 VY92
🎶 Featuring: The New Connections Harp Collective
🎟️ Tickets: €20 (includes booking fee) | https://www.friarsgate.ie