The Malahide 2 harp

Dated to the 18th Century

Current whereabouts uncertain; Privately owned but on display in Malahide Castle, Ireland, in 1984.

"High Headed" design;
35 strings, longest 110cm

This harp was first drawn to public attention by Nicholas Carolan's in 1984. This harp's soundbox is pieced from planks rather than carved from a solid block in the usual fashion.

Nicholas Carolan tells us that it was then owned by William Kearney, who acquired it at an auction in Belfast in 1967. According to Mike Billinge (wirestrungharp.com, retrieved Jan 2011), the harp was again auctioned in 2000 after the death of Kearney. On the other hand, a 1999 Adams auction catalogue lists an early 19th century harp from Kearney's collection, painted green and decorated with painted shamrocks and gilt griffins, which may be this harp.

References

Simon Chadwick