Popularity and revival: Factors affecting harp reception in the 1950s and 1960s

The 1950s in Ireland can be viewed as a starting-point from which multiple changes in economic, social and cultural practices began to take place. The economy in the early years of the decade was in difficulty, emigration was high and the rural landscape altered rapidly with large-scale migration to urban centres.¹ Cultural development, however, was not stagnant during this decade. Both Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and the Arts Council were founded in 1951. Gael Linn, founded in 1953, sought to promote the Irish language and culture. In 1952, Fleischmann published his seminal book, Music in Ireland.² This book offers today's reader an insight into the musical life of Ireland at the time while describing a musical life lacking in resources and organisation.