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festivals · Sunday 23 August 2026 · Various 
Granard Harp Festival
At Granard · Granard, Co. Longford
At Granard · Granard, Co. Longford
Granard has a stronger claim than anywhere else in Ireland to call itself the home of the harp. The first harp festival on the island was held here in 1781, organised by a local merchant named John Dungan who wanted to preserve what was already being recognised as a fading art. Seven harpers competed in the market house, crowds of up to a thousand turned up, and a tradition was born. This modern revival - run by the John Dungan Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the same name honouring that founding figure - picks up that thread across a long August weekend from the 23rd to the 25th. If you have any interest in traditional Irish music, or simply want to be somewhere that feels genuinely rooted in something real, this is worth the drive.
The festival programme mixes competition with celebration. Harp competitions draw players from across Ireland and further afield - past festivals have attracted entrants from Europe and North America - with prize money for accomplished performers and categories suited to different levels. Alongside the main competitions, there are workshops in harp, tin whistle, fiddle and sean nós singing on Saturday mornings; these fill quickly, so booking ahead is worth doing once details are announced.
Evening concerts have traditionally been held in St Patrick’s Church, which gives the music a particular acoustic and atmosphere. Street busking, pub sessions with free entry, and walking tours around Granard are also part of the weekend’s shape - so even if you are not a musician, there is plenty to take in without paying for a ticket.
The festival opens officially at Granard Community Library, which is worth noting as a venue - it doubles as an information point for visitors throughout the weekend.
Granard sits in the north of County Longford, roughly 25km from Longford town. By car from Dublin, take the M3/N3 towards Cavan and turn off for Granard - the journey is around 100km and takes about 90 minutes. From Longford town, the R194 takes you there directly in under 30 minutes.
Public bus services to Granard are limited; Bus Éireann routes connect Longford town to the wider area but a car gives you flexibility, especially for evening events. Street parking in the town centre is generally available, and the town is compact enough to walk between venues once you arrive.
The motte at the top of the town - one of the largest Anglo-Norman mottes in Ireland - is worth climbing for the views across the midlands. The Knights and Conquests Heritage Centre in the town covers the area’s medieval history and is open to visitors. There is more to see in Granard and across Co. Longford.
Heading to Granard in Granard? Longford has plenty more to see. Read the Granard area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.