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The Trinity College harp, also known as " Brian Boru's harp ", is a medieval musical instrument on display in the long room at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. It is an early Irish harp or wire-strung cláirseach.
Learn about the oldest harp in Ireland, which is also the national symbol, and its possible connection to Brian Boru, the high-king of Ireland. Explore the conflicting stories and evidence of its origin, carvings, and restoration.
The Brian Boru Harp is the oldest surviving Irish harp and is the model for the insignia of Ireland. Restored and re-strung in 1961.
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- The Harp in Mythology
- The Harp in Irish History
- The Harp Today
- The Great Harp Robbery
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The harpwas said to be invented by the goddess Cana Cludhmor, the Gaelic goddess fo dreams, inspiration and music. Legend has it that while walking on a beach one night she was lulled to sleep by beautiful music. Upon waking she realized the music had been created by the wind blowing through the sinews attached to a whale skeleton washed up on the ...
From the Medieval era, up until the 1800s, the harp was at the heart of Irish courtly life. Under theBrehonsystem, the harper was a central figure in the court of every Irish king or chieftain and afforded a special status. In 1531, King Henry VIII of England declared himself King of Ireland and colonized the country. Although he recognized the cen...
The instrument itself has evolved, in build, size and make-up, over the years. For almost a millennium the harp had changed only organically, but in the 1800s, harp-maker John Egan brought about radical changes and innovations. The modern Irish harper (as opposed to a harpist, who plays a pedal or concert harp), plays in a different manner to their...
The most famous harp existing in Ireland, the so-called Brian Boru Harp, on display in Trinity College Library, serves as the model for the insignia of the Irish State, as well as that famous Guinness logo. While its origins are shrouded in debate, it is known that it was presented to Trinity College Dublin by William Conyngham in the late 18th cen...
Learn about the Irish harp, the national symbol of Ireland, and its origins in ancient lore and mythology. Discover how the harp survived the colonial era, the role of blind harpers, and the legend of Brian Boru and his harp.
The design was based on the Brian Boru harp, which is still on display today at Trinity College. In 1876, Guinness trademarked the symbol. So, when the Irish Free State was established in 1922, it had to flip Guinness’ design in order to use the harp as a symbol of the new state.
Wire Strung Harp — Trinity Clarsach, one of the three earliest surviving specimens, also sometimes called the Brian Boru Harp.
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Learn about the Brian Boru harp, also known as the Trinity College harp, one of the oldest surviving Gaelic harps. See its 3D anaglyph image, decoration, history and symbolism.
