medieval clarsach
traditional wire strung harp based on Irish and Scottish models (William Taylor, 1993)

Wire strung harps were played in the Celtic countries - particularly Ireland and Scotland - from the early Middle Ages. The earliest depictions of harps of roughly this shape have been found in Ireland and date from about the 8th century.

The frame shape and general construction principle is not much different from that of other medievel harps found throughout Europe until as late as the 15th century, but due to the higher tension of the metal strings, the frame of the Celtic clarsach type of harp developed to be much sturdier than that of the more lightly built gut strung harps that were used in the rest of Eurpope.

What really sets these harps apart is their pure, bell-like sound - quite unlike that produced by gut strung harps.

This page is currently being updated. Some of the above information may be incorrect.

listen to music played on this harp

Dwarven Blues
written by Asni (2007)
The Butterfly
traditional Irish harp tune

last updated: 23 February, 2008