Thank you for sharing this! From all my years of studying and teaching British history, how did I not come across these stories of the Blind Harpists. I need to do more research in Irish history. I, too, prefer to not only write, but read at night or the early hours of the morning. Don't really know why! Loved the story of Robin talking to George in the dark!
Glad you found that. Robin would not even question it, just go along with the flow out of his own curiosity and acceptance. In Ireland the actual days were measured in nights… as in sennight…seven nights, and fortnight, fourteen nights. The beginning of the year was considered Ist November,,, Samhain was the New Year the long darkness before the light again.. and storytelling was all around that time of the year when fields were fallow and all slept… maybe that is why I am comfortable also writing and reading and meditating in the night time. *** Robin worked a lot at night.
It may be why you are more comfortable with the night time! Stories about Ireland just seem magical to me! I have been there twice , and fascinated by the people and scenery every time I went. I have talked to many creative people who did most of their work at night. My daughter is an artist, and teaches art on the college level. Most nights I would find her working on a project at 2 a.m.…how wonderful for you to hear Robin’s angelic voice throughout the night!
Fascinating! Harpists, poets, musicians and all mentioned in your very well crafted essay- gratitude and cheers for wind beneath wings, which widens wisdom and appreciation for the role of Poets! from a "Poet with a Purpose"!
Thank you Robin. Glad you enjoyed the Blind Harpists and Poets piece. It is a part of Irish history that few know about and it was fun finding others and researching all over the world to discover the blind musicians in the history of different countries. Xx
I wrote a small, amateurish poem for a future project of mine. It is a song which a biwa hoshi, one of the characters in that new book will perform. I could tag you if you wish.
Thank you for restacking. The Blind Harpers is an ongoing project, many stories left out of the post. They were part of the itinerant fraternity that performed in the big houses of Ireland. Please send me the poem. ***
Thank you so much Charles. Love and Light to you too. I am enjoying your paintings very much! The blind harpers were a huge part of Irish history and few people know of their stories. Xxx
Thanks you! I met Hraves quite by chance in the bar of the theatre where they were doing a stage version of I Claudius. I found myself standing next to him and we got talking. I corresponded with him for a while after that and sent him some of my poems. It was a magical moment when he gave me his ‘poetic blessing’ and encouraged me to write more. We spoke of the White Goddess many times and of the Taliesin myth.
So lucky to meet Robert Graves, John. His knowledge of mythology fed me as an artist. I loved all the Greek and Roman stories, then Egyptian and every other land after that. ***
This is a wonderful piece Dwina! I was reminded of Garrett Barry, a mid 19th century, blind itinerant ullien piper from west Clare. Thank you for this dip into the deep well that is Irish culture.
Don't you love West Clare? The stone mountains and dolmens, the rare Alpine type flora, the sea, Ennis, the Cliffs of Moher.... nowhere more magical than that landscape and those musicians playing allsorts from the fiddle to the spoons! x
The road from Lahinch, up and out of town, towards the Clifs of Moher, along that wild and windy coast and on to Doolin where the songs of yesteryear are still sung, it is one of my favorite places I have ever been.
I agree! Is Matt Malloy’s pub the one with all the pencil and charcoal portraits of the musicians? I remember traipsing down a road to a telephone box in a field to call Robin in Germany and coming across a pub opposite with all these drawings! Magical. The Cliffs of Moher were not a tourist spot then. Seeing the pink sunrise bathe the cliffs was something else with pink tipped waves crashing against them. It was January. These landscapes are indelibly printed in my mind. It was my son’s birthday and a red balloon suddenly appeared from nowhere and bounced across the cliffs and out to sea! Totally unexpected! We were squeaking trying to catch the string. Where it came from, no one knows! Xxx
Thank you Matthew, I live it and love it, probably more so even from a distance now, having wings on my feet since I left Ireland but it certainly came with me! I shall look up Garrett Barry immediately. I flew over to your site and saw you followed Martin Shaw...I was just reading about The Green Ladies too. I will go to your site again tomorrow when I wake up. ***.
I cant remember where I'd heard of Garrett Barry, there may have been a picture of him in Matt Malloy's pub in Westport, Co. Mayo...thanks for the reply
I have to read it! Thank you so much John! I loved Robert Graves too, one of my first introductions into mythology and ancient history. You were so lucky to be in contact with him! Xx
Love County Mayo! My father used to say the first three harvests were stones! I think my favourite County is Donegal. Incredible wild land there and amazing sky vistas at night. I felt I could pluck the stars from the sky. ***
Thank you for sharing this! From all my years of studying and teaching British history, how did I not come across these stories of the Blind Harpists. I need to do more research in Irish history. I, too, prefer to not only write, but read at night or the early hours of the morning. Don't really know why! Loved the story of Robin talking to George in the dark!
Glad you found that. Robin would not even question it, just go along with the flow out of his own curiosity and acceptance. In Ireland the actual days were measured in nights… as in sennight…seven nights, and fortnight, fourteen nights. The beginning of the year was considered Ist November,,, Samhain was the New Year the long darkness before the light again.. and storytelling was all around that time of the year when fields were fallow and all slept… maybe that is why I am comfortable also writing and reading and meditating in the night time. *** Robin worked a lot at night.
It may be why you are more comfortable with the night time! Stories about Ireland just seem magical to me! I have been there twice , and fascinated by the people and scenery every time I went. I have talked to many creative people who did most of their work at night. My daughter is an artist, and teaches art on the college level. Most nights I would find her working on a project at 2 a.m.…how wonderful for you to hear Robin’s angelic voice throughout the night!
Fascinating! Harpists, poets, musicians and all mentioned in your very well crafted essay- gratitude and cheers for wind beneath wings, which widens wisdom and appreciation for the role of Poets! from a "Poet with a Purpose"!
Thank you Robin. Glad you enjoyed the Blind Harpists and Poets piece. It is a part of Irish history that few know about and it was fun finding others and researching all over the world to discover the blind musicians in the history of different countries. Xx
I wrote a small, amateurish poem for a future project of mine. It is a song which a biwa hoshi, one of the characters in that new book will perform. I could tag you if you wish.
Thank you for restacking. The Blind Harpers is an ongoing project, many stories left out of the post. They were part of the itinerant fraternity that performed in the big houses of Ireland. Please send me the poem. ***
I will tag you on a few others that I wrote, some somber, others a bit more cheerful.
Dear Dwina
Wonderful, spellbinding blind bardic story. If I lost my eyes ,I have often thought I would devote my time left to la stringed instrument .
What a wonderful idea should a passing bard then decide to inhabit me then with all that knowledge and spirit too !
Love and light. charles
Thank you so much Charles. Love and Light to you too. I am enjoying your paintings very much! The blind harpers were a huge part of Irish history and few people know of their stories. Xxx
Thanks you! I met Hraves quite by chance in the bar of the theatre where they were doing a stage version of I Claudius. I found myself standing next to him and we got talking. I corresponded with him for a while after that and sent him some of my poems. It was a magical moment when he gave me his ‘poetic blessing’ and encouraged me to write more. We spoke of the White Goddess many times and of the Taliesin myth.
So lucky to meet Robert Graves, John. His knowledge of mythology fed me as an artist. I loved all the Greek and Roman stories, then Egyptian and every other land after that. ***
Love Westport and County Mayo! Love Donegal and the stone mountains in the Burren too. The whole West coast is magical! Xxx
Love all the history and how you bring it to life. Thank you for sharing with the rest of us.
Thank you for reading it through. I love the research as much as the writing and even the memories xxx
Thank you Niccola. I like to bring History alive again xxx
Fascinating. Your writing brings history alive.
Just listened to Garrett Barry play Old Hag in the Kiln! Brilliant. Thank you.***
This is a wonderful piece Dwina! I was reminded of Garrett Barry, a mid 19th century, blind itinerant ullien piper from west Clare. Thank you for this dip into the deep well that is Irish culture.
Don't you love West Clare? The stone mountains and dolmens, the rare Alpine type flora, the sea, Ennis, the Cliffs of Moher.... nowhere more magical than that landscape and those musicians playing allsorts from the fiddle to the spoons! x
The road from Lahinch, up and out of town, towards the Clifs of Moher, along that wild and windy coast and on to Doolin where the songs of yesteryear are still sung, it is one of my favorite places I have ever been.
Doolin! That is where the pub is!!
I agree! Is Matt Malloy’s pub the one with all the pencil and charcoal portraits of the musicians? I remember traipsing down a road to a telephone box in a field to call Robin in Germany and coming across a pub opposite with all these drawings! Magical. The Cliffs of Moher were not a tourist spot then. Seeing the pink sunrise bathe the cliffs was something else with pink tipped waves crashing against them. It was January. These landscapes are indelibly printed in my mind. It was my son’s birthday and a red balloon suddenly appeared from nowhere and bounced across the cliffs and out to sea! Totally unexpected! We were squeaking trying to catch the string. Where it came from, no one knows! Xxx
Thank you Matthew, I live it and love it, probably more so even from a distance now, having wings on my feet since I left Ireland but it certainly came with me! I shall look up Garrett Barry immediately. I flew over to your site and saw you followed Martin Shaw...I was just reading about The Green Ladies too. I will go to your site again tomorrow when I wake up. ***.
I cant remember where I'd heard of Garrett Barry, there may have been a picture of him in Matt Malloy's pub in Westport, Co. Mayo...thanks for the reply
Warm regards
Thank you Charlotte abd Thank you John for restacking the story of the Blind Harpers, xx
Wonderful piece of writing as ever and full of unfamiliar anecdotes. I remember Robert Graves chanting to me:
Death to mock a poet
Death to love a poet,
Death to be a poet.
And how Brian Keenan, during his imprisonment, thought of O’Carolan and after he was released wrote a wonderful novel called Turlough.
I have to read it! Thank you so much John! I loved Robert Graves too, one of my first introductions into mythology and ancient history. You were so lucky to be in contact with him! Xx
Love County Mayo! My father used to say the first three harvests were stones! I think my favourite County is Donegal. Incredible wild land there and amazing sky vistas at night. I felt I could pluck the stars from the sky. ***