05/05/2021
Many occultists of today would probably imagine a vampire stalking the nightclubs of a modern discotheque in search of their next victim, but have you ever wondered what their hangouts may have looked like in ancient times?
Ireland has a history steeped in the occult and esoteric, with witches, banshees, fae, leprechauns and of course; vampires. Vampires appear in literature in a variety of ways, from the sophisticated type who are rich and popular, some appear as hermetic types who only come out in the dead of night stalking the streets for pray and there are vampires who are even more hideous, they don't possess any great supernatural power, they are actually quite vulnerable but still quite dangerous and a threat to humans and livestock.
Here in Ireland, we are well-known for our literature, poetry and music. All of which intertwine with our national symbol; the harp. The harp can be dated back to thousands of years and in Ireland there are many a tale in folklore which tell of the possible origin of the harp and even the magical powers of the harp. Look up the harp of The Dagda if you wish to find out more about it.
Vampires may have frequented the halls of the great Irish chieftains to bask in the beautiful music which resonates from the early Irish harp which is strung with metal. Some strings from the early Irish harp were made of brass, silver and even gold lending to its richness and mysterious bell-like sound.
There is an organisation in Ireland called The Historical Harp Society of Ireland whose sole purpose is to breathe life back in to our almost lost musical instrument. The last gathering of early Irish harpers took place in Belfast, Northern Ireland back in 1792 where some of the famous harpers were indeed quite ancient themselves in age. Denis Hempson for instance was born in 1695 making him 97 at the time of the festival. Even with todays standards 97 is a good age to live to but back in the 1700's that was some feat.
If you wish to hear music from the early Irish harp for yourself I suggest you give The Historical Harp Society of Ireland a follow here on Facebook. Find them on YouTube also where they have shared videos of concerts and lectures. They also share to Instagram and Twitter under the handle of
They are also holding an online festival this year, Scoil na gClairseach - Festival of Early Irish Harp. Check that out too as they have an early-bird price on their tickets, which I am sure will be selling fast. Vampires don't become rich by paying the full price on anything. Although compound interest plays a big role in their accumulated wealth.
Going off to sharpen my stake now. Take care and mind you don't get hypnotised or 'glamoured' as some may call it.
