Ronnie Drew on Irish Composer & Harpist Turlough O’Carolan

A look at the life of the blind harpist, composer and bard Turlough O’Carolan.
Ronnie Drew tells the story of Carolan, the blind harper, whose turbulent life produced a feast of songs and music, much of which remains popular to this day.
You may not have a note of music in you but if you live in Ireland, there’s one musical instrument you couldn’t help being familiar with.
The harp is synonymous with Ireland and can be found on coins, income tax forms and official documentation. There can not be a day that passes without seeing a picture of a harp yet it is not so often that you hear Ireland’s national instrument being played.
Ronnie Drew takes a look back at the history of the harp to the days when no big house in Ireland was complete without its “harper” who carried on a tradition stretching back to the earliest days of civilisation as is evident in the carvings of harps.
The harper played for special occasions like weddings and funerals and teaching others the skills of playing a harp which took a long time to learn.
You had to start before you were ten years of age or your fingers would be too stiff.
Many players aspired to the level of talent of Turlough O’Carolan, often called the last of the Irish harpers.
Born in Newtown in County Meath in 1670. At the age of about 14, he moved along with his family to Roscommon. At the age of 18, he caught smallpox and went completely blind as a result of the illness. In those days, there weren’t many things that blind people could do to earn a living. Mrs MacDermott Roe showed an interest in young Turlough and paid for him to learn the harp and write music despite the fact that he was coming to the instrument quite late if he wanted to become a professional.
After three years of training, Turlough O’Carolan was ready to play professionally. He performed jolly tunes known as planxties for which he became synonymous.
‘Irish Men and Irish Women: Carolan’ was broadcast on 9 October 1975. The presenter is Ronnie Drew.

[@daisypeters3216]

It's gorgeous to watch Ronnie Drew talking about O' Carolan . Both are legend!

[@TheOldestSoul]

I can't believe I've never seen this before!!! My idol talking about OUR idol!

[@shaunspillane2105]

Legendary film. To see Ronnie talking like this is an honour.

[@odonnchada9994]

The Irish Harp ☘🇮🇪🎼🎼🎼💚

[@genghisthegreat2034]

Ronnie used to read "The Well at the World's End" on the Boyne Valley Honey story tape. Played it on long journeys to my outlaws when kids were small. Great story telling voice, like a coal bucket dragged across a cobbled yard.

[@madpadi]

Ronnie the legend ☘️💚🤍🧡

[@andyrendell7430]

Thanks, have learned a lot and lputs the music in context. As an aside,thank God for the great medical crusader who pushed through the present total world elimination of smallpox,and for the agencies which coiperated. We need more of this .

[@gmac55]

Wow how beautiful to hear the ancient harp

[@conlaiarla]

Most enjoyable piece I have watched in ages.... Hope you all did too.

[@willywonka7812]

Hey there, it's me again. Your hero Mussolini would like you to follow in his footsteps. There's a gas station somewhere missing its ornamentation

[@conlaiarla]

@@willywonka7812 Well well... if it isn't the little SJW keyboard hero. Are you getting a badge for trolling people ? Obviously you are in keeping with your ilk, unemployed and indeed unemployable. Don't spend all your dole in the one off licence.🤣

[@willywonka7812]

@@conlaiarla tuige nach bhfuil focal Gaeilge agat? Má tá do chuid daoine agus do thír chomh tábhachtach sinn dhuit go ngabhfaidh síos bóthar and tríú slí, nach gceapfá go mbeadh do theanga dhúchais ar eolas aid? Ach cheapfainn féin nach bhfuil tada idir do chluasa ach faitíos agus santacht

[@PoetryFilms]

Great clip entirely. Don’t know how it came up in my feed but delighted it did (and have subscribed as a mark of my appreciation). Great to be reminded just how bright and easy Ronnie was in front of the camera like this, how he could make a script that might have been dutiful and dull into a totally engaging and educational performance. A man of many talents! Thanks again

[@martialharpistmatthew1837]

I want to play that version of bumper squire Jones sooooo bad lol

[@EverGreen1888]

fascinating. Thank you

[@gloin10]

It would be fair to say that the harp can be heard far more often now, in 2022, than it was back in 1975, when we were utterly broke, and suffering from a very bad case of 'Post-Colonial Cringe Reflex'.

[@thepokemontrainer6094]

I remember founding out about this guy from a gam called Fate, now that i know the history and the person who created it, im even more glad than before.

[@niamhharan2732]

i was sent this by my teacher for school 😑

[@karenbolger6272]

Me too

[@niamhharan2732]

@@karenbolger6272 lol home school sucks 😑😑 happy after my first day back

[@damienflinter4585]

Two immortals in one...thar cionn.

[@christopher-ke9nj]

Hi Ronnie buddy

[@owenmartin3307]

We need the harp back on our currency.

[@robhennessy6164]

...and flag, I dare say......

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Luv it! Was this clip part a series by Ronnie? Thanks CR's Video Vaults

[@martinwalsh3228]

Turlough O'Carolan on the £50 note (1982-1995) it was a little bit unusual when Bisto Gravy Granules would have a separate advert on television in Ireland to United Kingdom of course this 1 from 1987 do you remember it upload it of course I am sending you it you will find it @ kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIu6Xot7lqamlck.

[@beirbua3968]

GO HUANTACH