La harpe celtique

 THE STORY OF THE IRISH HARP!

To tell the history of the Irish harp is to tell the history of the Irish people themselves. In the 16th-century, highly trained professionals performed for the nobility and enjoyed political power, so much so that Queen Elizabeth I issued a proclamation to hang Irish harpists and destroy their instruments to prevent insurrection. This ancient instrument is still played in Ireland today and the harpers, who once were hanged for their art, now flourish throughout the world.

Legend tells us the first harp was owned by Dagda, chief of the Tuatha De Danaan, a supernatural race in Irish mythology. During a war with the Fomorians (the gods of cold and darkness), Dagda’s harp was stolen but later recovered. When it was returned, it had acquired the ability to call forth summer and winter. From then on, whenever Dagda played, he could produce a melody so poignant that it would make his audience weep, an air so jubilant that it would make them smile, and bring forth a sound so tranquil that it would lull all who listened to sleep. So the harp became the dispenser of Sorrow, Gladness and Rest.

By the 11th century, Griffith of Wales was employing harpists at court and Irish and Scottish harpers visited each other’s countries to study, learn and exchange tunes. Their music became admired throughout the whole of Europe and 12th-century archivist John of Salisbury wrote, "had it not been for the Irish harp, there would have been no music at all on the Crusades."

Harps back then were quite different from the large pedal harps we see in modern symphony orchestras today. They were much smaller, originally balanced on the harper's lap and leaning against the left shoulder. They had no pedals and were usually carved from one piece from bog oak. A harp once owned by High King of Ireland Brian Boru (941-1014) is on display in the Long Room at Dublin's Trinity College. Along with the Queen Mary Harp and the Lamont Harp (both Scottish), it's one of only three medieval Gaelic harps in existence today.

The harp isn't peculiar to this country but it has become synonymous with Ireland and is depicted on our national heraldry and currency. A right-facing image of the harp has been used on Guinness labels since 1862. Although the oldest emblem of Ireland is still with us today, most of the ancient airs and melodies it once produced are long gone but, thankfully, young harpers are increasingly taking up the challenge. They are gradually reawakening the pride of former days to 'show that still she lives'...

The harp that once through Tara's halls

The soul of music shed

Now hangs as mute on Tara's walls

As if the soul had fled

So sleeps the pride of former days

So glory's thrill is o'er

And hearts that once beat high for praise

Now feel that pulse no more

No more to lords and ladies bright

The harp of Tara' swells

The chord alone that breaks at night

Its tale of ruin tells

Thus freedom now so seldom wakes

The only throb she gives

Is when some heart indignant breaks

To show that still she lives

~ Irish poet and lyricist Thomas Moore (1779-1852)

Tara is a mysterious hilltop site in County Meath which was once the inauguration site of the ancient High Kings of Ireland. The poem was written while Ireland was still under English rule and, in it, Thomas Moore's 'Tara' symbolises the seat of Irish government and the rule of Ireland. The harp, Ireland's traditional instrument, symbolises Irish culture and spirit.

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