NI Science Festival - The Neuroscience of the Harpers Brain

The Neuroscience of the Harper's Brain is a unique event that brings together Ireland's rich musical heritage and cutting-edge science.

At its heart is the Irish harp, a symbol of Irish identity for over a thousand years, brought vividly to life by acclaimed Belfast harpist Ursula Burns. Blending tradition with bold experimentation, Ursula performs live while neuroscience techniques are used to explore and measure her brain activity as she plays.

Alongside the performance, Dr Niamh Kennedy of Ulster University reveals the hidden science behind musical performance, drawing on her research imaging the brains of harpists to uncover how playing the harp shapes the brain's wiring, movement, creativity and improvisation.

Combining live music, storytelling and neuroscience, this fascinating event offers audiences not only exceptional musicianship and Belfast craic, but a deeper understanding of why Irish music continues to resonate so powerfully across generations.

Delivered in partnership with the Northern Ireland Science Festival.