Irish harper at the Danish court, 1622

by Keith Sanger - 17:49 on 04 August 2006

There were three harpers employed by the Danish Court during the first half of the 17th century: two Irishmen, 'Carolus Oralii' (Charles O'Reilly) between 1601 to 1602, and 'Darby Scott' (Diarmait Albanach) between 1621 to 1634; and the Scottish harper Edward Adam from 1641 to 1643. Adam had previously been employed by the Court of Brandenbergh.

Since Reinholdt Thim was at the Danish Court between 1618/1624 then the subject of this portrait would have been Darby Scott, who would presumably be from one of the few identifiable Irish harping family groupings.

A Ned Scott was harper to Sir Arthur Chichester in 1620 and Bunting mentions as O'Cahans contemporaries John and Harry Scott from West Meath. This West Meath locus is confirmed by a pardon granted by Elizabeth I of the harper Rory Albanagh or Scott from Castleroe in 1602. However the line may go even further back since a West Highland harper called Donald Albanach can be identified in Mid Argyll mid 16th century. The route between Argyll and West Meath is not difficult to follow, as it ran across to Donegal and down through Sligo and then either West Meath or into Connacht. It was heavily populated by Scottish Galloglas the whole way, especially the MacSweens and MacDonalls and completly avoided passing through the English 'pale'.

Keith Sanger 2002

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