’Harp studies’ presents new research on the Irish harp with perspectives from the disciplines of ethnomusicology, musicology, history, arts practice, folklore and cultural studies. Themes
explored in this volume include iconography, reception history, diaspora, identity, spirituality and politics. Taking an expansive view of the harp through history and music, these essays
individually engage with the variety of ways in which the harp has been interpreted and implicated in Irish culture, politics and music from the 9th century to the present day. Contents: Ann
Heymann (ind.), Three iconic Gaelic harp pieces; Paul Dooley (UL), The harp in the time of Giraldus; Colette Moloney (Waterford IT), Edward Bunting (1773-1843), a collector of Irish music and
song; Sandra Joyce (UL), Inventing and mythologizing Carolan in texts from the 18th to 20th centuries; Harry White (UCD), The lyre of Orpheus: Moore’s ambiguous harp; Mary Louise O’Donnell, The
Bengal subscription: patriotism, patronage and the perpetuation of the Irish harp tradition in the early 19th century; Ruan O’Donnell (UL), The Irish harp and Irish republican iconography;
Adrian Scahill (MU), The harp in the early traditional group; Helen Lawlor (DkIT), Interpretations of Irishness and spirituality: the music of Mary O’Hara; Therese Smith (UCD), The harp as icon
for Irish identity; Eibhlis Farrell (DkIT), The Magic Harp; Michelle Mulcahy (UL), Aistear: performing traditional music; Anne-Marie O’Farrell (DIT, QUB), Lever design and transcription for
lever harp.
