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Harpist in Irish (Cláirseoir): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage

The Irish for harpist is cláirseoir, a masculine noun (plural cláirseoirí).
Updated October 2026Report a mistake

How to say “harpist” in Irish

Irish:
cláirseoir
English:
harpist
Word type:
noun
Gender:
masculine, third declension
Pronunciation:
“KLAWR-shore”  /ˈklˠaːɾʲʃoːɾʲ/
Various forms
Plural:
cláirseoirí (harpists)
Genitive singular:
cláirseora, an chláirseora (e.g. ceol an chláirseora, the harpist's music)
Genitive plural:
cláirseoirí, na gcláirseoirí (e.g. féile na gcláirseoirí, the harpists' festival)

What does “cláirseoir” mean?

harpist
A person who plays the harp.Also: harper, harp player.

“Cláirseoir” with the article

The plural of harpist in Irish is cláirseoirí. Here is cláirseoir after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an cláirseoir
the harpist
No change after an
na cláirseoirí
the harpists
Plural: no change after na

“Cláirseoir” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using cláirseoir, the Irish word for harpist.

Is cláirseoir den scoth í a deirfiúr.
Her sister is an excellent harpist.
Sheinn an cláirseoir port álainn ag an mbainis.
The harpist played a lovely tune at the wedding.
Bhí lámha an chláirseora an-tapa ar na téada.
The harpist's hands were very quick on the strings.
Tháinig cláirseoirí ó gach cearn den tír.
Harpists came from every corner of the country.
Ba é Ó Cearbhalláin an cláirseoir is cáiliúla.
O'Carolan was the most famous harpist.
Ba mhaith liom a bheith i mo chláirseoir.
I would like to be a harpist.
Tá cláirseoir nua sa cheolfhoireann.
There is a new harpist in the orchestra.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

Harpist in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for harpist?

The Irish for harpist is cláirseoir (pronounced “KLAWR-shore”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is cláirseoirí.

How do you pronounce cláirseoir in Irish?

Cláirseoir is said like “KLAWR-shore” (IPA /ˈklˠaːɾʲʃoːɾʲ/).

What is the plural of harpist in Irish?

The plural of cláirseoir is cláirseoirí; with the article, na cláirseoirí means “the harpists”. The genitive plural is cláirseoirí, as in féile na gcláirseoirí (the harpists' festival).

Why does cláirseoir change to chláirseoir or gcláirseoir?

Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cláirseoir becomes mo chláirseoir (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcláirseoir (eclipsis).

What is the difference between cláirseoir and cláirseach?

Cláirseach is the harp itself, while cláirseoir is the person who plays it.

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