During the Gaelic era, the Irish delighted to amuse their guests by playing the harp. It has remained a popular emblem of Ireland ever since. In the eighth century, Benedictine monks used the harp in their writings. It was also shown on coinage from the 1500s. It was also included in the banners that were waved at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. The harp was particularly prominent in the 1798 Irish Rebellion, and from the 18th to the 19th century, it was part of Ireland’s national flag.