Ireland shows its respect for its ancient music by being one of the few countries in the world to have an instrument, the harp, as its national emblem, appearing on government documents, coins and flags.

Origins

Music is said to have been first brought to Ireland by the Tuatha De Danann in approximately 1600BC. The first reference to music in Ireland was made by the great geographer, Hecataeus of Miletus. Quoted by Diodorus, he describes the Celts of Ireland (c. 500BC) as singing songs in praise of Apollo and playing melodiously on the harp.

In his book History of Irish Music (1904), Grattan Flood wrote: 'In ancient Ireland the systems of laws and medicine were set to music, being poetical compositions.'

Music pupils in pre-Christian Irish schools would have been equipped with music staves. These were squared staves which were used for walking or defence when closed and, when open in the shape of a fan, for writing on. Flood quotes Constantine Nigra:

'The first certain examples of rhyme are found in Celtic soil and amongst Celtic nations, in songs made by poets.'

From the Appletree Press title: The Complete Guide To Irish Dance.
Also from Appletree: Irish Dance, and Irish Traditional Music.