Siobhán Armstrong is a renowned Irish harpist and early music specialist. Born in Dublin in 1961, she began playing the harp at the age of ten. She studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and later at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland, where she specialized in early music and historical performance practice. Armstrong has performed extensively throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia, both as a soloist and as a member of various ensembles. She has collaborated with many leading musicians in the early music world, including Jordi Savall, Andrew Lawrence-King, and Monica Huggett. One of Armstrong's most notable achievements is her work in reviving the Irish harp tradition. She has researched and reconstructed historical harps and has worked to promote the use of wire-strung harps in traditional Irish music. In 2002, she founded the Historical Harp Society of Ireland, which aims to promote the study and performance of early Irish harp music. Armstrong has also been recognized for her contributions to early music. In 2003, she was awarded the prestigious Arts Council of Ireland Music Bursary, which allowed her to continue her research and performance work. In 2010, she was awarded the Thomas Moore Medal by the University of Limerick for her contributions to Irish music. Armstrong has recorded extensively, with over a dozen albums to her name. Her recordings include solo harp music, as well as collaborations with other musicians and ensembles. Her 2005 album, "The Irish Harp," was particularly well-received and was nominated for the BBC Radio 3 World Music Award. In addition to her performance and recording work, Armstrong is also a respected teacher and scholar. She has taught at various institutions, including the Royal Irish Academy of Music and the University of Limerick. She has also published articles and essays on early music and the Irish harp tradition. Overall, Siobhán Armstrong is a highly respected musician and scholar who has made significant contributions to the fields of early music and traditional Irish music. Her work in reviving the Irish harp tradition and promoting historical performance practice has been particularly noteworthy, and she continues to be a leading figure in the early music world.

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