Talented Laois harpist to compete in prestigious trad music competition

UP AND COMING Laois harpist/composer Aoibhe Kettle is set to compete in the final of the prestigious Seán Ó Riada Bonn Óir competition this Friday night, 24 January.

Aoibhe is a third-year student at the Irish World Music Academy in the University of Limerick. The Wolfhill native has won several major competitions in All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann competitions.

Aoibhe’s musical passion lies in composing for the harp, where she credits traditional Irish composers such as Bill Whelan and Mícheál Ó Suilleabháin as her inspiration.

Aoibhe’s most recent composition, ‘The Famine Suite’, will feature on her upcoming EP, which is due for release later this year. Like many competitors in the Seán Ó Riada Bonn Óir competition, Aoibhe comes from a musical family and performs regularly with her brother Naoise and her sister Nell.

A live broadcast of the event can be heard on Raidio na Gaeltachta on Friday 24 January or watched online. Tickets for the event can be bought at the door for €10.

The Bonn Óir is a prestigious traditional music competition that focuses on a different instrument every year over a four-year cycle. This year’s competition features both the harp and uileann pipes.

The 2025 competition has attracted the highest-ever number of entrants since its inception in 2010, with competitors whittled down to six harpers and nine pipers. The contest will be judged esteemed Dublin piper Mick O’Brien, renowned Scottish piper Ailean Domhnallach and acclaimed harpist Siobhan Armstrong.

There will be two separate prizes for harp and uileann pipes, with the winner for each instrument receiving a bespoke gold medal designed by Niamh Utsch, as well a cash prize of €2,500.

Event organiser and presenter Peadar Ó Riada said: “We are very pleased that the competition is going from strength to strength, with entrants from all over the world and an American finalist in the competition again this year.” He added: “We are particularly happy to see the younger generation attending the concert every year. Even when their own instrument doesn’t feature, they come back to meet up with each other and to play in the music session afterwards. We look forward to hearing great music again on the night.”