Harp Studies

Perspectives on the Irish harp

Sandra Joyce & Helen Lawlor, editors

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.

Contributors: Emily Cullen (Moore Institute, NUIG), Paul Dooley (UL), Eibhlís Farrell (DkIT), Ann Heymann (ind.), Sandra Joyce (UL), Helen Lawlor (DkIT), Colette Moloney (Waterford IT), Michelle Mulcahy (UL), Mary Louise O’Donnell (ind.), Ruan O’Donnell (UL), Anne-Marie O’Farrell (DIT, QUB), Adrian Scahill (MU), Harry White (UCD), Aaron Lawless (ind. artist), Niamh NicGhabhann (UL), Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin (UL) & Helen Phelan (UL).

Sandra Joyce is director of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick. Helen Lawlor lectures in music at Dundalk Institute of Technology and plays Irish harp.