As Featured In
Harp Column · March–April 2026
Not simply a retreat. A return — to music, to place, and to yourself.
A six-night Celtic harp immersion in Kilkenny led by Victoria Lidmark, with a guest afternoon by Dr. Siobhán Armstrong. Every attendee takes home a handcrafted 16-string Welsh harp.
No card, no commitment. A short note to our Program Manager, and a 1:1 call before any deposit.
Flying to Ireland with people you haven't met yet is a real decision. So we don't ask you to make it on a checkout page. RSVP free, talk to our Program Manager, then decide.
No card. No commitment. Send a short note and we'll be in touch within 24 hours to set up your 1:1 call.
Master harpist and founder of Victoria's School of Harp in Colorado Springs. Over thirty years as a performer, teacher, and composer. Known for meeting each student exactly where they are — Victoria teaches not only technique, but musicality, confidence, and the reason players fell in love with the instrument in the first place.
If you've been wondering whether you're "good enough" — this retreat is designed for you.
"Patient, kind, and deeply supportive. Eleven years and counting — even after I moved to Germany." — Kathy N.
"I started with Victoria at four. Eighteen years later I'm still playing — bringing my harp to engineering school this fall." — Olivia B.
"Victoria is so patient and teaches from her heart. A privilege to study under her." — Teresa D.
"Before Victoria, I knew nothing of string instruments. She's taught me Gothic, lap, Celtic, and pedal harp — Welsh is next. She brought harp music into my home." — Hiroko T.
More than a harp week. A slow, attentive walk through the cultural soil that grew the music — O'Carolan and the bardic tradition, the Cistercian quiet of Jerpoint Abbey, the medieval mile of Kilkenny, hymns and healing music in the old stone of Black Abbey.
One of the world's leading authorities on the early Irish harp — the ancient instrument depicted on the Irish national emblem. A performer, scholar, and trailblazer, Siobhán has led the international revival of the historical Irish harp and its repertoire.
She joins us for an afternoon of performance, talk, and an open Q&A. The deeper history behind the instrument we're playing all week.
Check in at the Pembroke. A welcome circle, the first cup together, and the harps tuned for the morning.
Morning fundamentals. Afternoon with O'Carolan and the bardic tradition. Tea and biscuits, then first ensemble.
Expression and color in the morning. An afternoon walking the ruins of Jerpoint Abbey with our harps.
Composition work in the morning. The afternoon belongs to Siobhán — performance, talk, and the older history.
Guest talk by Kathy N.W., an afternoon at Kilkenny Castle and the Medieval Mile, then a traditional pub night.
Hymns and healing music in the morning. Reflection inside Black Abbey. A closing dinner to mark the week.
Real musical instruction across six days — these are the sessions, in Victoria's words.
A warm boutique stay in the heart of Kilkenny, steps from the Medieval Mile. Many of our sessions take place at the Pembroke itself, creating a natural rhythm across the week.
You book your own room at our special group rate. We send you the rate code once your deposit is in.
Explore the Pembroke Hotelto reserve your place
Total: $3,900 USD · €3,350 EUR
Not included: your hotel room (booked separately at our group rate), international airfare, ground transport, and independent meal evenings.
Beginner hands and returning hands are both welcome. The 16-string Welsh harp was chosen so anyone can be inside the ensemble by Day Five.
Bus-tour Ireland is not this. Six nights inside one place, one tradition, one small group of harpists. Slow on purpose.
Six full days, present and unrushed. Phones down, harp up. The week is built to be lived, not posted.
Virtual Tea & Questions · Sunday, May 17 · 3:00 PM PT
An hour with Victoria over Google Meet. She plays, walks through the week, answers every question in the room. A relaxed gathering, not a pitch.
Nothing financial. RSVPing holds your seat and triggers a call with our Program Manager. The first money you'd pay is the $2,500 deposit, due June 15, 2026 — fully refundable until then.
Yes. The retreat is built for beginners and experienced harpists alike, with emphasis on technique, musicality, and the Irish harp tradition.
A handcrafted 16-string Welsh harp, yours to play through the retreat and carry home — your companion long after the closing dinner.
Your deposit is fully refundable until June 15. After that, your seat is secured and travel arrangements begin.
Fly into Dublin (DUB), then a direct train from Dublin Heuston to Kilkenny — about 90 minutes. Detailed instructions provided after your deposit.
The Pembroke Hotel in the heart of Kilkenny, steps from the Medieval Mile. You book your own room at our group rate — we send you the code once your deposit is in. Breakfast is included with your room.
No card, no commitment. A short note, a 1:1 call, then $2,500 deposit by June 15 — fully refundable until then.