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seasonal · Monday 27 July 2026 · Various 
O'Carolan Harp Festival & Summer School
At O'Carolan Centre at St Ronan's Hall · Keadue, Co. Roscommon
At O'Carolan Centre at St Ronan's Hall · Keadue, Co. Roscommon
Every summer, the small Roscommon village of Keadue becomes the centre of Irish harp tradition. The O’Carolan Harp Festival & Summer School - 27 July to 3 August 2026 - draws students, competition harpers and concertgoers from across Ireland and beyond. Keadue is the burial place of Turlough O’Carolan (1670-1738), the blind harper and composer whose tunes are still played the world over.
The Summer School (27 July to 1 August) is an intensive programme - morning classes cover harp, tin whistle, concertina, bodhrán and set dancing; afternoons move to banjo, flute, button accordion, fiddle, traditional singing and sean-nós dancing. A beginner “Try the Harp” initiative welcomes newcomers alongside seasoned players.
The festival proper runs to Bank Holiday Monday. The headline concert on Friday 31 July premieres Sonóir, a commissioned work by composer and percussionist Mel Mercier for two Irish harps, bassoon, viola da gamba and percussion - performed by Niamh O’Brien and Alannah Thornburgh (RTE Folk Awards Best Folk Instrumentalist 2025). Sunday’s show features Téada, the internationally touring traditional ensemble led by Oisín Mac Diarmada. A global harp competition runs mid-week; Bank Holiday Monday closes with a door dancing competition and a parade through the village.
Keadue sits in northwest Roscommon on the R284 and R285, at the foot of the Arigna Mountains near the Leitrim and Sligo borders. From Dublin allow roughly two and a half hours via the N4/M4 and N5; from Sligo about 45 minutes. There is no direct public transport - the nearest Bus Eireann stop is Boyle, around 18km away. Car is the practical option. Parking in the village is limited during festival week; arrive a little early for evening concerts.
The O’Carolan Heritage Park in the village centre tells his story. Kilronan Abbey holds O’Carolan’s grave in a graveyard overlooking Lough Meelagh - worth the short detour. There is more to see in Keadue and across Co. Roscommon.
Heading to O'Carolan Centre at St Ronan's Hall in Keadue? Roscommon has plenty more to see. Read the Keadue area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.