Historical Harp Society of Ireland

Friday, September 07, 2007

Concert in Trinity College Library

On Friday 14th of September 2007, Trinity College Library will welcome the historical harper, Javier Sainz, to perform a selection of pieces, taken from 17th-19th century Irish and Scottish musical manuscripts. Javier will be playing an early Irish harp, the prototype of which is the famous medieval harp, held in the Long Room of the Library.There will be three half-hour performances starting at 6.45pm, 7.45pm and 8.45pm respectively.
This event forms part of the Dublin Culture Night 2007 and also includes free guided tours of the Old Library and the Book of Kells exhibition. Admission to the performances is free.

For more information about Dublin Culture Night, please visit www.culturenight.ie.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Decorated replica harps now in the HHSI shop

For the first time, the 2007 Scoil na gCláirseach - Summer School of Early Irish Harp included a harpmaker's exhibition. As a result of the HHSI's invitations to harpmakers in Ireland, Scotland and abroad, we are delighted that there are now in Ireland two beautiful, one-off, handmade replica early Irish harps available for sale!

One is a replica of the medieval Trinity College harp, by Davy Patton (Co. Roscommon, Ireland), which presents the instrument in its original medieval state - without the jewelled fittings that were later additions, but with a striking red and blue painted colour scheme copied from traces of pigment on the original instrument in Trinity College, Dublin.

The other is a replica of the 'Downhill' harp of 1702, by David Kortier (Duluth, MN, USA), which as well as the bold yet subtle carving of the original also includes the poem lettered on the soundbox giving the date and maker of the original.

Both of these instruments were completed in the summer of 2007 and have been strung and brought to pitch in Ireland under the auspices of the Historical Harp Society of Ireland. Both are available to purchase through the Society, and can be inspected by appointment.

For more information and photographs please vivit the HHSI shop web pages: www.irishharp.org/shop/ or email shop@irishharp.org