Ireland, also known as the Republic of Ireland, is a sovereign country member of the European Union that occupies most of the territory on the island that it is situated. While Northern Ireland decided to remain loyal to the English crown, the modern Irish State became independent from the United Kingdom in 1922, after signing the Anglo-Irish Treaty that concluded the Irish Independence War.
The history of Ireland dates far back to 10,500 BC, with the first human evidence that has been found in the territory, but it wasn’t until the Iron Age that the Irish identity started developing, when the first Celtic language and culture emerged in the island, marking the beginning of a long history of cultural encounters and traditions.
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In a contemporary musical performance context the fiddle is always present and rarely would a band not include a fiddle in their repertoire.
On the other hand, from at least 1,000 AD, a rich culture of composition, improvisation, performance and ensemble has been mastered around the harp in Ireland. This instrument has become a very important symbol of the country; pictured on the national flag, Garda caps and in coin currency. Ireland is the only country in the world that has a music instrument as its symbol.
The harp is basically a frame supporting strings from a sound-box. Its shape is the reason why there are so many harp traditions around the word, traditions that have constantly strived exploration, retrieval and ingenuity among harpers and harp enthusiasts through the 20th and into the 21st