The Sugar Club Harp Sessions features the most exciting, cool harpers – some with friends – who are pushing the boundaries of Irish harping.

Experience a new ‘take’ on Irish harping from some of our foremost young harpers. Cruit Éireann|Harp Ireland’s Sugar Club Harp Sessions run throughout 2024 and feature innovative, cutting-edge Irish harp performances from a variety of players, pushing the boundaries of the tradition in new and exciting ways.

First up on Thursday January 11th is BRÍDÍN, a contemporary folk harper, singer and composer from Sligo, who has developed a unique style influenced by her natural surroundings and rooted in a traditional music background.

BRIDÍN combines her loop and effect pedals with layered melodies on harp and voice together with fiddle, keyboard, electric guitar, bass and pulsating drums. A frequent performer at TradFest, BRÍDÍN has been nominated for the RTÉ Folk Awards, and has over the years performed on The Late Late Show, Ireland AM and The Tommy Tiernan Show.

"Absolutely amazing performer! Great music, so breathtaking when live, she is one of a kind"

"And if you want to hear a fine example of the harp in the contemporary folk music of Ireland, then listen to Ocean of Stars, the new EP by Brídín." Richard Hillingum, Folk Radio

Sligo-native BRÍDÍN carries the tradition of Irish music into the fourth generation of her family – playing harp, flute, piano and dancing sean nós. After achieving a master’s degree in music, she’s continued to develop her own unique style, bringing a modern energy to her traditional influences. She released her Ocean Of Stars EP in 2021, which featured contributions from Colm Mac Con Iomaire and Clare Sands.

Her music lies in the indistinct place between traditional and contemporary. She proves her ability to sway between both worlds and play to her strengths in each.

"I feel a strong pull to nature and my beautiful surroundings in Sligo when I’m composing my pieces. I’m fascinated by the beginning and ending of life and the constant movement of nature. That’s where I draw most of my inspiration from,” she says.