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Rare C16th Irish Harp Tuning Pin found!

20 Jun 10 - 03:14 PM (#2931565)
Subject: Rare C16th Irish Harp Tuning Pin found!
From: Ptarmigan

We were playing in Medieval costume again today at Dunluce Castle { ... as you do! } & an Archeaologist on the current dig there was showing us a 'Bronze Harp Tuning Pin' that they have just found.

Apparently, it's one of only a handful of such pins that have ever been found in Ireland, so they are naturally rather excited about it.

For all you non-Harp players out there, it looks a little like the one in the photo below.

Harp Tuning Pin

Cheers
Dick


20 Jun 10 - 03:35 PM (#2931594)
Subject: RE: Rare C16th Irish Harp Tuning Pin found!
From: Rapparee

Shucks, I picked up a whole slew of those at that castle outside Kinvara. Tossed 'em in the sea. (Uh-hu, sure. I haven't been to Kinvara in more time that I care to think about.)

That's really a neat find -- is there hope for more?


20 Jun 10 - 11:26 PM (#2931766)
Subject: RE: Rare C16th Irish Harp Tuning Pin found!
From: GUEST,julia L

I know there's tune called Lament for the Lost Harp Key- how about one for "the Found Harp Pin". Just imagine the harper in the great hall, tuning up and entertaining the nobles- thanks for sharing this!
best- Julia


21 Jun 10 - 01:44 PM (#2932073)
Subject: RE: Rare C16th Irish Harp Tuning Pin found!
From: Paul Burke

Are they sure it's not one of Maire Rua's curlers, dropped in a raid on her way over to see her old friend Queen Lizzie?


21 Jun 10 - 02:39 PM (#2932093)
Subject: RE: Rare C16th Irish Harp Tuning Pin found!
From: GUEST,leeneia

A slice of life. Somewhere, sometime in the 16th century, a harper got to a gig, rummaged in his gig bag and cried, "I don't have my tuning pin!"

Little did he suspect that 500 years would pass before it would be found. Nor that it would make news worldwide.


21 Jun 10 - 04:36 PM (#2932196)
Subject: RE: Rare C16th Irish Harp Tuning Pin found!
From: GUEST,julia L

Say, isn't that the castle where the kitchen fell into the sea during a feast? Wonder if the harper was having a break at the time... Are there any songs about that incident? Oughtta be!
cheers- Julia


22 Jun 10 - 06:46 AM (#2932541)
Subject: RE: Rare C16th Irish Harp Tuning Pin found!
From: Nigel Parsons

was it Cecil'sHarp?


22 Jun 10 - 09:10 AM (#2932604)
Subject: RE: Rare C16th Irish Harp Tuning Pin found!
From: Ptarmigan

Yes it is Julia.

Check out more info & photos ... HERE

Cheers
Dick