King’s Award for Hampsey Harp School in Garvagh
Garvagh Harp School ‘deeply honoured’ to receive recognition
HAMPSEY Harp School, based at Garvagh Community Building, County Londonderry, has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2026.
This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
The school is one of 250 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups receiving the award this year, recognising the outstanding contribution of volunteers to their communities.
Established in September 1995 as a cross-community initiative, the school is named after Denis O’Hampsey, the celebrated Irish harper born near Garvagh.
For over 30 years, its volunteers have helped keep Irish harping alive through accessible tuition, instrument hire, workshops and community performances.
From its beginnings with three harps and 16 children in local primary schools, Hampsey has nurtured generations of musicians, including County, Ulster and All-Ireland Fleadh champions. Former pupils have become professional performers and returned as teachers, passing their skills to the next generation.
Today, weekly lessons, Harp Day workshops and school visits combining music and storytelling continue to introduce children and adults to the harp.
Behind these activities, volunteers organise lessons and events, raise funds, manage instruments and support pupils and teachers.
Co-ordinator Claire Millar said: “We are delighted and deeply honoured to receive this award. It is a wonderful tribute to every volunteer who has helped sustain Hampsey Harp School since 1995. “Our heartfelt thanks go to our committee and volunteers, past and present, our teachers, pupils and families, Garvagh Development Trust, our funders and the wider community.
“Their support has given generations of young people the chance to discover Irish harping and grow in confidence.
“We are proud to see former pupils returning to teach and keep this tradition alive.” Representatives of the school will receive the award crystal and certificate from the Lord-Lieutenant in the coming months. Two volunteers will also be invited to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in 2027.