Irish Harp Research Paper

There are a lot of Irish traditional musical instruments, but there is one instrument that sticks out the most it is the Irish harp. The harp is one of the oldest musical instruments in the world, the earliest harps were developed from the hunting bow. The harp or Celtics harp has a big impact on the Irish musical culture. As music evolved it was also necessary for the harp, if it was to maintain its popularity, to move with the times. Instead of only being limited to eight major keys and five minor keys, it had become vitally important for the harp to be able to play in all keys. The harp is best known for all the traditional Irish instruments and was most dominant front the tenth of the seventeenth centuries. In ancient times, the harpers were greatly respected, considered to have magical powers and assigned a high place amongst the most significant retainers of the Irish lords and chieftains. The Celtic harp was a fantasy instrument invented in 19th centuries. the Various forms of the harp have been around on most of the continents of the world since before written history and nothing is known about its remote origins. However, there is a record of a form of the harp which existed two to three thousand years ago in central Asia and Siberia which is reminiscent …show more content…
Queen Elizabeth issued a proclamation to Lord Barrymore in Ireland to “hang Harpers, wherever found, and destroy their instruments” in an attempt to gain control over Ireland. The power of Irish princes eroded away by increasing pressure from the British. This ended the patronage of Ireland’s harpers towards the end of the 16th century. In an attempted to gain control over Ireland, laws were enacted by the British Crown making it illegal for the Irish to speak their own language, becoming educated and to be married. The penalty was