More Than Just A Harp

One of the many artifacts on display in The Long Room of Trinity College Dublin is the Trinity College Harp. It is often referred to as Brian Boru’s harp, but that has been determined to be incorrect as Boru was the High King of Ireland from 1002 to 1014, and the harp has been dated to “only” the 14th or 15th Century.

What is true, however, is that 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 1876, although it was first used on their labels from 1862. Other Irish businesses have used a similar harp as a logo or trade mark, including Ryanair.

The two other surviving Gaelic harps from this period (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.

It’s a beautiful instrument, although photographing it can be challenging with hundreds of tourists milling around. There is a “stand here” spot on the floor which provides an angle that minimizes reflections from the windows. I did a little dodging and burning to minimize the distractions.