Rare C16th Irish Harp Tuning Pin found!

Subject: Rare C16th Irish Harp Tuning Pin found!
From: Ptarmigan
Date: 20 Jun 10 - 03:14 PM

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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?

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

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.

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

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

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

was it Cecil'sHarp?

Subject: RE: Rare C16th Irish Harp Tuning Pin found!
From: Ptarmigan
Date: 22 Jun 10 - 09:10 AM

Yes it is Julia.

Check out more info & photos ... HERE

Cheers
Dick