Harpist

Fionnuala Kirby

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About Fionnuala

Celtic Harpist based in Devon with wide repertoire of traditional, classical, popular and religious tunes, and some Paraguayan harp music.
Harpist
Yelverton
Public liability insurance of £1 million
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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.

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Top 10 booked musician of 2022
8th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 8 years
25 gigs
Pro: 25 bookings through Encore
Musicianship
Genres:
Folk, Christmas, Classical, Classical crossover, Traditional English folk, Traditional Irish folk, Traditional Scottish folk, Light music, Acoustic
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Burns night
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Other skills:
Instrumental teaching, Accompanist
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Fionnuala's Song list

CLASSICAL
The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Handel
The Wedding March, Wagner
Pachelbel's Canon
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, Bach
Gabriel’s Oboe / Nella Fantasia
Theme from “Ladies in Lavender “
Theme from “Forrest Gump”
I Giorni Ludovico Einaudi
Nuvole Bianchi Ludovico Einaudi
Time to Say Goodbye
Theme from New World Symphony "Goin' Home"
WELSH
The Lambs Fold Vale
The Inspired Bard
y Dydd
IRISH
The Coolin
Taimse i'M Chodladh
Roisin Dubh
Danny Boy
The Sally Gardens
Carrickfergus
Believe me if all those Endearing Young Charms
The Castle of Dromore
The Spinning Wheel
Boulavogue
The Belfast Hornpipe
The Derry Hornpipe
Fisherman's Lilt
The Boys of Blue Hill
The Blackbird
The Wise Maid
A Sore Point
The Kid on the Mountain
Countess Cathleen (Riverdance)
The Rights of Man
Connemara Cradle Song
Moving Cloud
Many more traditional tunes....
TURLOUGH O'CAROLAN
Planxty Eleanor Plunkett
Planxty Constantine Maguire
Planxty Fanny Power
Planxty Irwin
Carolan's Concerto
Sheebeg Sheemore
Blind Mary
Planxty Hewlett
SCOTTISH
St. Kilda's Wedding March
My love she's but a lassie yet
Ca' the yowes
My love is like a red, red rose
Ae Fond Kiss
The Feet Washing
Glenlivet
Bonnie Banchory
Lamentation for James Moray of Abercairney
OTHER
Concerning Hobbits Howard Shore
Emily's Calling Savourna Stevenson
Greensleeves
Ashoken Farewell Jay Ungar
Turkey in the Straw
Somewhere over the Rainbow
PARAGUAYAN
A Mis Dos Amores Digno Garcia’s
Caturi Abente Prudencio Gimenez
Cajita Musical Santiago Cortesi
Luna Llena Digno Garcia
Llegada
Fleur de Jasmin Nicolas Caballero
Cuando Caliente El Sol M. and C. Rigual
DISNEY
A Whole New World
Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Colors of the Wind
Once Upon A December
Tale As Old As Time
POPULAR
Perfect Ed Sheeran
How Would You Feel Ed Sheeran
Say You Won't Let Go. James Arthur
How long will I love you Ellie Goulding
I can’t help falling in love with you Elvis
Songbird Eva Cassidy
Wind beneath my wings
Theme from “Titanic”
I will always love you. Dolly Parton
Owl city. Fireflies
Everything I do Bryan Adams
Here comes the sun. George Harrison
Marry You Bruno Mars
Just the way you are Bruno Mars
1000 years Christina Perri
Grow old with me Tom Odell
Born Again Billy Preston
Better Together Jack Johnson
Love me like you do Ellie Goulding
Wind beneath my wings
Songbird Eva Cassidy version
Titanic theme
Candy Paolo Nutini
Every breath you take Sting
Fields of Gold Sting
Closest thing to crazy Katie Melua.
Let her go Passenger
Faith's Song from Keeping Faith
Moon River
Only Time Enya
May it Be Enya
Wild Child Enya
Home Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Most people are quite blown away by the sound and the physicality of the harp being played when they encounter it! I am often bowled over with praise as the harp music inspires and touches deep emotions. I have a style which has developed very naturally as I am self-taught on the Celtic Harp.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Since 2013 I have played every Friday night in the restaurant at Two Bridges Hotel, Dartmoor. I have performed twice in St. Eustacius’ Church in Tavistock in concerts by Vocal Harem and the Mount Kelly Choral Society. In 2019 I performed at Tavistock Wharf with the band Mad Dog Mcrea supporting Seth Lakeman, and also gave my own concert in Meavy Church.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Much of my harping inspiration comes from Maire Ni Chathasaigh, Savourna Stevenson and Deborah Henson-Conant, amongst many others.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

When I played at Tavistock Wharf in February 2019 with the band Mad Dog Mcrea. I also play regularly for formal Dinner events at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, and also for similar events for the Royal Navy at H.M.S. Drake in Devonport.

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

Please just let me know as soon as possible and it should not be a problem as I rarely do more than one event in one day.

How much time do you need to set up?

I usually arrive at least 45 minutes before I am booked to start playing to give me plenty to time to become familiar with the location. It usually takes around 10/20 minutes to actually get set up. I only need a chair and possibly a power supply.

Is the transport of your harp included in your quote?

Yes the transportation of my harp is included in the travel expenses in my quote.

Do you need any equipment provided to play outdoors?

I have a portable amplifier which I bring with me which should not require additional power for at least two hours of music. For playing outside therefore I usually only need a chair, please.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

Of course! I always tailor what I play to any requirements you might have as best as possible regarding specific pieces or musical styles.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Yes I am happy to learn new requests for an event, depending on the lateness of the booking, and the suitability of the requests to be played on the Celtic Harp. However I need to charge an extra fee of £30 for this as I will need to create an arrangement of the piece for Celtic Harp, and it will need additional rehearsal time.

Fionnuala's Prices

Last updated: 2024

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£225
Up to 1 hour£275
Up to 2 hours£350
Up to 3 hours£425
Fionnuala
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5
26 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

Fionnuala's Reviews

From Encore customers:

GS
Goran S
1 month ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Fionnuala was absolutely brilliant! If you thinking of booking her , please dont hesitate, just do it !

Reply from Fionnuala
1 month ago

Thankyou for this lovely review! It was my absolute pleasure playing for such an appreciative audience!

AH
Andrew H
4 months ago
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5 out of 5

Fionnuala was fantastic the music she played was exactly what we imagined for our wedding. Everyone commented on how romantic the music was and we will always remember how fionnuala was part of our special day. We can’t thank her enough. Once again a very special thank you from my wife and I Claire and Andy.

Reply from Fionnuala
4 months ago

Thankyou it was my pleasure to play for you all!

JS
Julie S
5 months ago
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5 out of 5

Dear Fionnuala, Thank you so much for helping to make mums day special. Many thanks again, Jo

Reply from Fionnuala
5 months ago

Thankyou- it was my pleasure!

HB
Holly B
6 months ago
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5 out of 5

Made our wedding, fantastic!

Reply from Fionnuala
6 months ago

Thankyou Holly!

Read all 26 reviews

From other customers:

MT
Melvyn T
10 years ago

To hear the harp and your singing was an absolute delight and very much appreciated by the crowd present.

TH
Tim 3
9 years ago

Thankyou so much for playing at our event ..so many people have said how much they enjoyed your music.

Read all 9 reviews