Fionnuala Kirby

Fionnuala is a Celtic Harpist based near Yelverton, Devon. She plays a 36-string Celtic (lever) Harp made out of Yew wood by Tim Hampson, of Bere Ferrers, Devon. Having had a musical upbringing mainly on piano, she began to teach herself the Celtic Harp when she was given one in 2005 for her 33rd birthday. After studying the harp for a year, she and her family then spent four years travelling in Europe with the harp as their main income. During that time, she played the harp in around 150 different towns and cities, including several private performances, weddings and funerals. Since returning to Devon in 2010, she has built a good reputation for her playing and the variety of her repertoire. She travels throughout Devon and Cornwall to play for weddings and functions and has played every Friday night since 2013 in the restaurant of Two Bridges Hotel, Dartmoor. Fionnuala plays a wide range of classical pieces, traditional tunes, pop songs and Paraguayan harp music. Her repertoire is constantly growing and is inspired by her English and Irish heritage, her love of folk and world music, the classical and religious influences of her youth and the many requests for modern pop songs she now receives for weddings. She has recorded three albums to date; “Travelling Tunes” (2012), “Harp From The Heart” (2017) and “Constellation” (2023) which have all been well received as showcases of her repertoire at the time. She has performed in many concerts including with Mad Dog Mcrea at Tavistock Wharf supporting Seth Lakeman (February 2019), and her own concerts in St. Peter’s Church, Meavy (November 2019) and in The Blue Ball Inn, Sidford (February 2024). Fionnuala also sings to her own accompaniment and she teaches harp and piano. Fionnuala has a friendly and down-to-earth approach, and her fees are very reasonable. If you book her for your wedding ceremony, she will normally invite you to a private audience at her home, if convenient, to choose the special music for your big day. She is also happy to discuss your choices by phone, email or internet chat.