John Egan made harps from 1792 to 1830ish. He is the inventor of the modern Irish folk harp. He began his work as the last of the bardic harpers of the O'Carolan ilk were dieing.
Well, a friend has sold me a previously un-catalogued Egan "portable" harp. This now will begin about three years of it being restored and conserved by the leading experts in instrument conservation. So far, it is believed that it will likely be playable again. I have great hopes of singing with my Egan for the rest of my life, and launching her into her third century with a newly restored old voice.
It may be one of the oldest Egan's in existence, and is one of only five privately cared for. Egan's are at the Metropolitan Museum, Harvard, and other major instrument collections. I intend to give opportunities to appropriate harpers to perform on her and record her, with proper oversight and precautions. I believe great instruments should be heard.
I'll keep my mud-pals informed as she is gently brought back to her former glory. She is a teal blue, with 14 k. Shamrock tendrils all over. The remains of her bronze and gut strings lead me to believe she has not been heard for a hundred years.
The shop that owned her before my friend… tossed this bit of Irish history… into a dumpster. Sometimes God smiles on us. Here is a link to photos of her present loveliness. Click here More photos will be posted to the Mudcat Facebook page.
I wish all my mud friends the joy I feel tonight, at least once in your life, if not every day.

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