A Bit of Irish Harp History

From Guest Blogger and wonderful Celtic harpist, Eliseo Mauas Pinto, here is a brief history of the Celtic harp. This is an excerpt from his article, "Why the "Trinity Harp" is also known as the "Brian Boru's Harp?":



The "Brian Boru" harp, now at Trinity College, Dublin, bears the coat of arms of the O'Neills but although there are many theories about its ownership through the centuries, none can be substantiated, with no verifiable evidence remaining to indicate the harp's original owner, or subsequent owners over the next two to three hundred years until it passed to Henry McMahon, of Co. Clare, and finally to The Rt. Hon. William Conyngham, who presented it to Trinity College in Dublin in 1760.

Throughout its history the harp was in the possession of of many people some of which were kings.

Related Harps

The Trinity College harp is currently displayed in the long room at Trinity College Dublin. It is an early Irish harp or wire strung cláirseach. It is dated to the 14th or 15th century and along with the Queen Mary Harp and the Lamont Harp, is one of the only three surviving medieval Gaelic harps.

Related to the Trinity College Harp, there are two greatest medieval harps of Scotland, the "Queen Mary" and the "Lamont" harps. Both kept in the National Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh.

Both “low headed” Celtic harps date from the 15th Century, and each is from a single piece of wood, possibly hornbeam, hollowed out from the back. The Lamont harp, which is unadorned, is the larger harp at 37 ½ “, with 32 wire strings.The Queen Mary is ornately carved with intricate designs, including griffins, a lion, a dragon and a unicorn, almost 31” high, with 30 wire strings. 

The Trinity College harp is the national symbol of Ireland, being depicted on national heraldry, Euro coins and Irish currency. A left-facing image of this instrument was used as the national symbol of Ireland from 1922, and was specifically granted to the State by the Chief Herald of Ireland in 1945.

A right-facing image was registered as a trade mark for Guinness in 1862, and was first used on their labels in 1876.

All three surviving Gaelic harps (the others are the Lamont Harp and the Queen Mary Harp) are considered to have been made in Argyll in South-West Scotland sometime in the 14th-15th century.

Why bagpipes are played at weddings

It’s always a treat to perform on local radio, especially on comedian Howie Nave’s fabulous morning radio show on KRLT called “Howie’s Morning Rush”. Not that we have a morning rush here at Lake Tahoe at all. The pace is slow. And on Howie’s show, the mood is decidedly silly.

Piper Seán Cummings joins me in the interview as we promote our 5th Annual Celtic Concert, part of the Valhalla Summer Music Festival.

Hear Seán and I play “Mist Covered Mountains” (Seán plays the Scottish whistle on that number with me on the Celtic harp). Listen closely and you’ll hear me play a few notes of “Stairway to Heaven”. Find out why bagpipes are played at weddings and laugh along with us.

Thanks, Howie! We had a blast! (click on the links below to listen)

Harpist Anne Roos & bagpipe player Sean Cummings pt 1 (4min 18 sec)
Harpist Anne Roos & bagpipe player Sean Cummings pt 2 (4min 01 sec)

When Are the Best Times to Visit Ireland to Experience Traditional Music and Dance?

Here’s some great information from our guest bloggers, Kathy and Travis Nelson. They have traveled to Ireland several times and produce the Engaging Ireland podcast, where you can find travel tips, guides to places of interest, interviews and all things Ireland. You can view their blog and listen to their podcast at www.engagingireland.com, or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. Kathy and Travis are also amateur photographers. A sampling of their work can be found at www.sixeightcreations.com. Here’s their article about some of the most popular Irish music festivals. Enjoy! (Note: If you’d like to know how to pronounce some of the Gaelic terms in this article, go to forvo.com):

It’s difficult to think about Ireland without thinking about music and dance. And if you’re thinking about Irish traditional music and dance and will be making a trip to Ireland, you should schedule a fleadh or two in your itinerary. While fleadh simply means “festival,” fleadh cheoil is a festival of music.

There are many fleadhanna (the plural of fleadh) held in Ireland each year. Cavan plays host in 2010 to arguably the largest festival of the year, Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann (which means “Festival of Music in Ireland”). Visit www.fleadh2010.ie for more information about this fabulous festival, which will include not only music and dance but other art forms as well. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann are the organizers of this and many other Irish traditional music and culture events around the world. Visit their website at comhaltas.ie to learn more.

Fleadh Nua started in Dublin in 1970 but moved across the country in 1974 and is now held in Ennis each May. The Ennis fleadh events are held over one week and take place mainly in the medieval town centre. Pub sessions and céilís are an integral part of this festival, and you may encounter some well-known artists and performers as you wind your way through the narrow streets of Ennis and drift from pub to pub. If you’ll be in the West of Ireland at the end of any given May, check out the Fleadh Nua website at www.fleadhnua.com to see what’s on tap.

Over the May bank holiday weekend (the bank holiday is the first Monday in May), you’ll want to visit the lovely town of Abbeyfeale near the southern tip of County Limerick for the Fleadh by the Feale. This fleadh includes opportunities for storytellers to ply their craft. To learn more about the Fleadh by the Feale, visit their website at www.fleadhbythefeale.com.

If you’re a fan of the pipes, you’ll want to visit Armagh in November to take in the International Piping Festival (www.armaghpipers.org/wkpf/en/festival).  The festival is organised by the Armagh Pipers Club and brings together traditional instruments from all over the world.

No matter what time of year you visit Ireland, be sure to check for festivals and events in the areas on your itinerary. If there are no scheduled festivals, you’re sure to find a pub session or céilí wherever the wind blows you. Slan!

How you Can Use Irish Music in Your Podcasts

Here's a novel use of my music: Corey and Liam from the Irish Fireside Blog and Podcast used my sprightly rendition of “The Gold Ring” from my A Light in the Forest CD for their July 7, 2010 Ireland travel video “Liam's Horse Ride Through Knockahopple in Ireland”. It's Liam's first lesson driving a horse and gig. Will he end up in a ditch? You've got to click here to view the video and find out...

Interesting Facts About The Emerald Isle

I just recently came across this blog and I wanted to share the posting with you. You can read the original post here.

Irish Flag
Ireland’s national flag know as the tricolour (three colours) and has three equal vertical bands of green, white and orange. The green symbolises Nationalism, the white symbolises Peace and the orange symbolises Unionism, therefore the national flag of Ireland represents peace between Nationalists and Unionists.

President Flag
The national flag of the President of Ireland is a blue flag with a silver stringed gold harp. The blue background represents Saint Patrick who is the patron saint of Ireland. Although St. Patrick is often depicted in green garments, before the 20th century the saint was more often shown wearing blue garments. This flag represent “the Ancient Colours of Ireland”.

National Anthem of Ireland
The National Anthem of Ireland is called Amhrán na bhFiann which means ‘The Soldiers Song’. Amhrán na bhFiann was very popular among Irish republicans, and was sung by rebels in the General Post Office also known as the GPO during the Easter Rising of 1916. The song became the official state anthem in 1926.

The anthem of the Irish rugby home team is called ‘Ireland’s Call’ and at matches played in the Republic of Ireland both Amhrán na bhFiann and Ireland’s Call are sung, elsewhere, Ireland’s Call is the only anthem used in recognition of the need for a unifying anthem and has also been adopted by the Irish Cricket, Hockey and Rugby Union teams.

The Shamrock
The shamrock is a three-leafed clover and is a world-renowned symbol of Ireland. The Shamrock was used by Saint Patrick (the patron saint of Ireland) to explain the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish. Saint Patrick’s day is celebrated throughout the world each year on March 17th and it is tradition that people wear a shamrock on their clothing and dress in green to honour Saint Patrick and celebrate being Irish, like we need a reason! Shamrocks are said to bring good luck.

Celtic Cross
A Celtic cross is a symbol of a cross with a circle surrounding the intersection of the cross. The cross often appears in different shapes, sizes, and in many different styles. It is said that Saint Patrick was also the founder of the Celtic cross and that he used the ’sun cross’ as an example to explain to pagans the importance of the cross.

Today the Celtic cross is used for individual reasons like jewellery, T-shirts and tattoos, grave markers and head stones to name a few. Versions of the Celtic cross are also used by the GAA / Gaelic Athletic Association and the Northern Ireland national football team.

About Mairead Foley
Mairead writes for GoIreland.com - Ireland’s leading travel and accommodation website.

Renaissance Magazine Calls Anne Roos’ Wedding CD "One of the Best Collections of Celtic Harp Music"

“Haste to the Wedding is one of the best Celtic and Renaissance harp CDs you will ever find. It is also an excellent guide for any Olde World wedding,” proclaims Michael Lohr in Issue #67 of Renaissance Magazine. You’ll find his full review of Anne Roos’ wedding CD on pages 72 and 73 of this issue. Here are some highlights of the review:

“Anne Roos is a superb harpist...Haste to the Wedding is one of the best collections of Celtic harp music you will find. Full of Irish and Scottish courting and wedding songs, the CD is grouped by ceremonial sections: prelude music, processional music, unity candle/exchange of vows music, and recessional music.

Anne, who studied music theory at UCLA, proves to be a musical historian...A 48-page booklet accompanies the CD and provides a wonderful overview of traditional ceremonies and songs.

Haste to the Wedding is one of the best Celtic and Renaissance harp CDs you will ever find. It is also an excellent guide for any Olde World wedding.”

Renaissance Magazine is a print publication that features articles on history, castles, heraldry, culinary and herbal arts, and in-depth interview with the movers and shakers of the re-enactment and faire communities. Regular columns review period books movies, music, web sites, and games.

Haste to the Wedding is on the Cambria Master Recordings label. This and other albums by Anne Roos are available for purchase online at Amazon.com, CDBaby.com, and many online stores. It is also available for purchase at retail outlets such as Barnes & Noble and Borders stores. Autographed copies can be purchased at www.celticharpmusic.com.


Video Travel Souvenir of Liam and Corey's Irish American Roadtrip

I was thrilled when Liam and Corey, the hosts of the Irish Fireside Podcast, decided to stop by for a visit on their Irish-American Roadtrip. They zig-zagged West from Milwaukee in search of all things Irish on their winter travels.

They headed up to my home at Lake Tahoe for a special Celtic harp concert, chronicling their journey and visit with me in video. You can find these videos on their website, or on iTunes. But to make it easy for you, just click on the images below, and you’ll be taken to the YouTube Pages to view them.

Here is their visit with me, their 22nd Video from the Road. I give them a tour of the Celtic harp and you’ll see a casual little private concert of “Brian Boru’s March” as I play in the comfort of my own home. I even entertain them with a bit of Gershwin (yes, jazz can be played on a Celtic harp).



If that video wasn’t enough for you, here is an extended video that includes “Carrickfergus”, "Give Me Your Hand", and I accompanying Liam as he sings “She Moved Through the Fair”. Good stuff.



Here’s the bonus video: Liam and Corey’s trials and tribulations to get to my abode at Lake Tahoe in February. This part of the roadtrip, the 21st Video from the Road, includes fields, fruit trees, a snowy mountain road, and a run-in with the law.



Many thanks to Liam and Corey for making the trek to Tahoe to visit with me!

March Wedding and Party Ideas

The theme is the thing--Choose a theme and have fun with the planning. For St. Patrick's Day, use the colors of the Irish flag (green, orange, and white), include shamrock images in your decorations, favors, and invitations, and throw in some toe-tapping Irish music to create some great craic (meaning "a good time" or "great fun" in Irish Gaelic).

You can also extend this fun St. Patrick's Day theme to a wedding, or use a spring equinox theme, incorporating daffodils and other early spring flowers into a delicate floral theme.

If you are planning a wedding, or any other shindig, contact me to perform for your special event at (800)255-6318 and anne@celticharpmusic.com (available in the Tahoe/Northern California/Northern Nevada regions). I'm always happy to recommend other services for your event, too!

Host a house concert in your very own living room! Learn how at Concerts in Your Home, and while you are there, check out my profile.

The Irish Fireside Podcast, Episodes #60 and 61

My music is featured in not one but two episodes of the Irish Fireside Podcast, the ultimate place where you can get the inside scoop on Irish travel and culture. Hosts Corey and Liam are your tour guides in this popular podcast.

In Episode #60—The Giveaway, posted December 14, 2008, my music is played during the details of their 2008 Holiday Giveaway and Irish gift suggestions.

You’ll also want to catch Podcast #61—Merry Christmas, Armagh, Down & the Cooley Peninsula posted December 25, 2008. You can hear “I am a Maid That Sleeps in Love” from my CD Mermaids & Mariners album as Corey reads an excerpt from “Tales from an Irish Hermitage”, a book written by a Sister of Grace with tales of her life living as a solitary nun in Ireland. This episode also includes a fascinating interview that Liam conducted with Michael Carr, former mayor of Newry and Mourne (regions between Belfast and Dublin).

Here are details of the tunes you’ll hear in these two episodes:

Episode #60—The Giveaway
“The Bold Princess Royal/The Princess Royal” from Mermaids & Mariners “Star of the County Down (Waltz Version)” from Haste to the Wedding And “Considine’s Grove” from A Light in the Forest


Episode #61—Merry Christmas, Armagh, Down & the Cooley Peninsula “I’ll Cross the Stormy Sea” from Mermaids & Mariners And “Star of the County Down (Waltz Version)” from Haste to the Wedding

Anne’s CDs Recommended in Popular Irish Holiday Gift Guide

Corey and Liam are the hosts of the Irish Fireside website and podcast, your virtual tour of Ireland and all things Irish. And they have just posted their Annual Holiday Gift Guide 2008! They have made a special effort to feature items from passionate artists, crasftspeople and entrepreneurs.

My albums made it near the top of their list, and here is their review:

“When you give one of Anne Roos’ CDs, you are sharing more than the gift of enchanting music. Each disc of Celtic harp music is accompanied by a book with beautiful words and images to support the wondrous journeys you will take with each of her three CDs.”

Enter online to win one of Anne’s CDs, along with other fun Irish gift ideas from the Irish Fireside Annual Holiday Gift Guide 2008.

Look for my CDs on the Cambria Master Recordings label. They are available for purchase online at Amazon.com, CDBaby.com, and elsewhere on the Internet. They are also available at retail outlets such as Barnes & Noble and Borders stores. Autographed copies can be purchased at www.celticharpmusic.com, where speedy holiday shipping is available.