![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Thankfully, we have not entirely lost our harping heritage forever. In response to this, Queen Elizabeth I banned the instrument and by the end of the century Ireland’s once rich harping tradition has almost entirely died. Almost overnight, harpists lost their once special status and the majority became travelling musicians.Īs opposition to British rule grew, the harp became a key symbol of resistance. Courtly employment dwindled as Ireland’s leaders fled. Fade Out…įollowing colonization, Ireland’s rich harping tradition began to decline steadily. The Brian Boru harp is one of the oldest surviving authentic Gaelic harps. Such was the fame and prestige of the instrument, that he appointed it as the official emblem of his new realm. In exchange for this, they enjoyed a privileged status. In 1531, King Henry VIII declared himself King of Ireland. The court harper composed tunes called Planxties which extolled the many virtues of their patrons. The harpist was a central figure in the entourage of every Irish king and chieftan. Image Source: Internet Archive Book Images, via Wikimedia Commons The Golden Age of Harpingįrom 1000 up to the early 1800s, the harp remained at the heart of Irish courtly life. The Harp in Irish MythologyĪccording to ancient Celtic folk tales, the very first harp was owned by “the Good God” Dagda – a god of fertility and knowledge. His intricately decorated oak harp was named Uaithne and was also known as “the Four Angled Music.” The harp possessed magical qualities which The Dagda used to put the seasons in their correct order. We delve into the Gaelic harp’s long and rich history from ancient folklore to the Celtic High Kings through to the modern day. The Harp’s fascinating history reflects Ireland’s own turbulent past. ![]() From the earliest folk tales to the present day, the Harp has played an instrumental role in Irish culture. ![]()
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