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I wrote “O’Carolan’s Lyre” 2 years ago and did play it on my lyre. Today, however, I play it on ukulele and flute, with ocean drum. But I’m still calling it “O’Carolan’s Lyre.”

Turlough O’Carolan was a blind Irish harper, who lived from 1670-1738. About 300 of his tunes are still in existance today. I’ve always wondered whether O’Carolan was totally blind. And either way, how did he travel from place to place? Did he stay in one place for a while and compose music for food, room and board, and/or pay? We may never know. We do know that he played the harp, and most likely it was a wire strung harp. If you haven’t heard one, it has a bright ringing sound, much brighter and more sustained than the nylon or gut strung harps we’re used to hearing.

I hope you enjoy this piece, even without a lyre!