Harping Tradition In Irish Music

The harping tradition played a huge role in the history of Irish music and how it has developed throughout the years (with the emigration of Ireland's most prestigious families. There was a steep decline in the harping tradition during the seventeenth and early eighteenth century. In the mid Nineteenth century the final traditionally trained harpist died.)The ancient Gaelic harp traditions died out completely in the 19th century in Ireland and Scotland, and there is not a single thread that connects the last of the old harpers to any players today.

1. THE HARPING TRADITION
The Irish harp was the highest regarded courtly musical instrument in Ireland before the year 1000 up until just after the 1800’s, when it died out. This ancient tradition died out for many different reasons, which will be explained throughout this essay.

The Irish harp, is used worldwide as Irelands national emblem and is probably one of our most recognisable symbols. It has been used on high crosses and standing crosses from as early a time as the eighth century and, has been used as the official government symbol ever since the foundation of the Irish state which happened in 1922. The harp is also seen in the logos of many commercial businesses. The harp has an elegant overall front which represents tradition and dignity.

The rapid downfall of the Irish harpers can be traced back to the mid-sixteenth century, when Gaelic social structures were rapidly collapsing due to the increasing English population in Ireland. The harping tradition was in terminal decline by the end of the eighteenth century and the Belfast Harp Festival of 1792 was an event created to aid in preserving what was left of the ancient harping