Orchestra of harpists hope to steal the show

A COUNTY Limerick harp orchestra will represent Ireland at the European Youth Festival in Austria starting tomorrow, where 198 music schools from all over Europe will be performing.

The National Harp Orchestra is the junior orchestra at Harbison’s Irish Harp Centre & Music School and based in Castleconnell. Its 25 harpists, some as young as nine, come from Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.

The orchestra tours nationally and internationally and features a mix of modern and traditional Irish music, song and dance. It will be accompanied on the trip by parents and friends, bringing the tour party to over 50.