The Kildare harp

Made (supposedly) in 1672 for Robert Fitzgerald (1637 or 1648?-1699).

Also known as the Fitzgerald harp

Owned by the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, in storage (not on display).

"High Headed" design;
36 (or 39) strings, longest 102cm

Below: details of carving

This harp bears inscriptions giving the initials of Robert FitzGerald, along with his coat of arms on the forepillar. Robert's father was George FitzThomas FitzGerald, 16th Earl of Kildare; Robert's son, also called Robert (born 1675), was 19th earl of Kildare. There is also an inscription which I am reading as “fecit anno 1215” but which older commentators (Petrie, O'Curry) quote as 1672.

The harp is heavily decorated with wood carvings, some separately applied, and black and white geometric painted patterns including geometric circles, and zebra stripes all along the side of the neck and pillar.

This harp is very large and substantial; it is an impressive instrument.

The Kildare harp has heavy iron plates at the neck-pillar joint, and also at the base of the soundbox and the projecting foot, and on the side and underside of the neck. These are held on with wood screws, which appear to be 19th century. The plate at the neck-pillar joint covers over painted decoration including a roundel.

It is said to have been purchased at auction in the mid 19th century and subsequently donated to the Kildare family, who displayed it at Kildare Castle.

The harp was at some point acquired by the National Museum of Ireland (the instrument bears the ref. no. 47.1946 which may indicate 1946 as the accession date?). Armstrong's photo of c. 1904 shows it with many broken strings; it is now fitted with a full set of copper wire strings. I do not know of any record of when the strings were replaced, or any measurements or details of the old strings which were on in when Armstrong saw it.

References

Simon Chadwick