June 13-15, 2008
E. H. Young Riverfront Park
Riverside, Missouri

Harp Performances

The harping events will consist of harp performances and our always popular "Cuddle a Clarsach" session, a hands-on opportunity for the audience. Come and join us. Harpers will be performing in the Harp Tent throughout Saturday and Sunday.

The Clarsach

The Celtic harp is, after the great highland bagpipes, perhaps the instrument most widely recognized as Scottish. Whether it originated in Scotland or Ireland or Wales is still debated; however, the small harp known as the "cruit" or "clarsach" was an integral part of Scottish society.

The clarsach was originally strung with wire and plucked with the harper's fingernails. Not considered a folk instrument, instead it was the instrument of a highly-trained professional class of musicians who owed their support to the clan chieftains and royal patrons. As the old Celtic social structure began to disappear from Scotland, so, too, did the clarsach and its music. It was not until the latter part of the 20th century that the Celtic harp has gained popularity again.

See the Entertainment Schedule for times and performances.