The first attempt to make a traditional Irish harp in many years has been an informative experience.
Rev Christopher Warren has built a traditional harp from scratch and has been learning to play the instrument. This is possibly the first working traditional Irish harp that has been made in Ireland for many years. Prior to making the harp, Christopher Warren had never played the instrument.
In Milltown, County Kerry, he explains how he came to make a traditional Irish harp. He wanted to create an instrument that sounded like the traditional harp played by Carolan, the blind harper.
The design is based on the Trinity College harp, which is probably the oldest in Europe. This is the harp that is synonymous with Ireland and appears on Irish coins and official documentation.
The soundbox is carved from a solid piece of wood.
The harp is made using the same wood and is strung with wire, creating a similar sound to the Trinity College harp.
The traditional Irish harp has not been made since the 1700s, according to Rev Christopher Warren. While anyone who plays a modern harp could play the traditional harp, the technique is different.
He began designing the harp by examining published drawings and photographs. He then had to find a large enough sally tree to cut the wood from. When the wood had seasoned, he began to craft the harp. He admits that it is probably not a very well made harp, but it plays.
The old harp was played with long fingernails and there are several stories of harpers being punished by having their fingernails cut or broken.
This episode of 'Newsbeat' was broadcast on 7 October 1970. The reporter is Cathal O'Shannon.
