Laois musicians 'thrilled' to perform at national festival

Music Generation Laois harpists will take centre stage at the National Concert Hall in February when they perform at the annual Festival of Youth Orchestras.

The event marks the start of another busy year for young Laois harpists who will perform at a global harp event in Canada this summer.

Taking place on Saturday, February 7, this year's Youth Orchestras Festival is an extra special event as it marks three decades of celebrating Ireland’s youth-orchestra community and their talented members.

Hosted by the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras, this year’s festival features a performance by the Music Generation Ireland Harp Collective at the 7.30 pm concert.

The collective is made up of harpers from Music Generation programmes in Laois, Louth, Mayo and Waterford. The Harp Collective will perform Lá na Seacht Síon (The Day of Seven Storms), a new composition by Harper Gráinne Meyer created in collaboration with Harp Collective members.

Rosa Flannery, Music Development Officer for Music Generation Laois, told the Leinster Express / Laois Live the Laois musicians are looking forward to taking part.

“We are thrilled to be part of the 2026 IAYO Festival of Youth Orchestras. This is an incredible opportunity for our harpers to perform on the stage of the National Concert Hall, an unforgettable experience for us all, and a great promotion of the current explosion in Irish harping. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Laois musicians were part of the Music Generation Ireland Harp collective to perform at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Wexford 2025. Photo: Claire Loughran

“Our national harp collective has gone from strength to strength over the past number of years. They have performed at Belfast Trad Fest and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2025.

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“We are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with Irish Composers, like Gráinne Meyer, supported by the Music Generation/Arts Council Partnership Creativity and Collaboration Fund," she said.

The concert marks the first big event of the year for Laois harpists as 2026 includes a trip to Toronto to perform at the World Harp Congress in August.

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February's Festival concert also features Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, Symphonic Suite from The Fellowship of the Ring, selections from Man of Steel by Hans Zimmer, traditional Irish music, original compositions from Irish composers such as Martin Power, Katharina Baker, Vincent Kennedy and much more.

The full 2026 Festival Programme includes performances from the Atlantic Tri-Orchestra - a collaboration between Donegal Youth Orchestra, Coole Music Youth Orchestra and Mayo Youth Orchestra.

The Galway Youth Orchestra, ConCorda Chamber Orchestra and UCD Symphony Orchestra will also perform. Musicians from Queen’s University Symphony Orchestra will also feature on the bill.

Tickets cost €25 with concessions: €10. Child tickets (17 years old and under) are €7.50. Family tickets are €45 (family of 4, max 2 adults). Groups of 10 or more cost €10 per ticket. Tickets are available at www.nch.ie

The IAYO is supported by RTE Supporting the Arts and funded by The Arts Council.