ob·ses·sion:

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• Get ye to a summer school!!!

November 2, 2024: I am honored to be the guest at this years BRIMS International Uilleann Piping Day Tionól in Charlottesville, VA. For further details click the image and visit their website ::: www.blueridgeirishmusic.org

On May 11th, 2024 BRIMS will host its third uilleann piping tionól in Charlottesville, VA. The guest teacher will be Joey Abarta. For further details click the image to view it full sized and visit their website ::: www.blueridgeirishmusic.org

02/27/2024: Paddy's Day is coming up so there is a rash of concerts coming up throughout March. Come say hi if you're in the area! ::: Concerts

The So Cal Pipers have the honor this year of hosting the 2024 West Coast Tionól with special guest Fiachra O Regan -CLICK HERE for details.

05/30/2023: In an attempt to keep things realistic I have added a Removed section to the Classifieds. If you would like your ad returned to the For Sale section please email me at pat@uilleannobsession.com

On Nov 4th, 2023 BRIMS will host its second uilleann piping tionól in Charlottesville, VA. The guest teacher will be Cillian Vallely on pipes and David Doocey on fiddle. For further details click the image to view it full sized an visit their website ::: www.blueridgeirishmusic.org

On April 1st BRIMS will host its first uilleann piping tionól in Charlottesville, VA. The guest teacher will be Colleen Shanks. For further details click the image to view the PDF file. Their website will be updated soon ::: www.blueridgeirishmusic.org

06/23/22: The Belfast Summer School of Traditional Music which will take place 25-29 July 2022 in Belfast in the north of Ireland. Guest Piper: Mikie Smith.

1. 5 days of masterclasses
2. Afternoon talks, lectures, discussions, taster sessions, film screenings
3. Over 40 sessions
4. 11 Concerts
5. 3 Céilís

1. Self-Catering
2. 200 yards from Ulster University, masterclass location.
3. Free WIFI
4. Ensuite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin.
5. Onsite laundry facilities

04/13/22: The Patrick J. Youhey Memorial Weekend will take place 04/29-05/01/2022. A gathering to memorialize Patrick J. Touhey one of America's finest Uilleann pipers. Workshops, Presentations, Concerts, and Recitals given by some of the finest pipers and historians in America. Taking place in the American birthplace of Touhey, Boston Massachusetts ::: www.PatsyTouheyWeekend.com

04/12/22: Young musicians... Cascadia Irish Music Week is offering generous scholarships to come study and hang out with some of the world's finest Irish musicians this summer in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. The uilleann piping instructor this year will be Mick O'Brien. August 7-13 in Olympia, Washington. Deadline to apply is May 1, all details on the website ::: www.CascadiaIrish.org

07/06/20: Piper Sunday - Zoom Seminar: The Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club invites you to join us Sunday's at 11am (PDT) for the continuation of our Piper Sunday Zoom Seminar series featuring online discussion with guest speakers about Irish piping and music ::: Details »

05/08/2019: My YouTube Channel just reached 500 subscribers! How crazy is that? Thanks to everyone for their subscriptions, likes, shares and continued support!

03/19/2019: It's been ages since anyone has sent in a bio for the Piper Bios's page. Thanks to Dave Boling for doing just that. If anyone else would like to submit their bio, photo and whatever else you want to include, please send it to info@uilleannobsession.com »

02/14/2019: Réalta featuring TWO uilleann pipers coming to a town near you! (hopefully!) ::: more

01/01/2019: Well that was a year to remember! Lots of ups and downs between broken bones, friends lost, musical highs, and wonderful time spent with family. Here's to more highs than lows in 2019. As Cord Hosenbeck put it so eloquently at this years Rose Parade, "Lean and mean in 2019".

12/02/18: Happy Christmas Season Everyone! All physical copies of Wallop The Spot are SOLD OUT! Rattle The Knee CD's are still available! Downloads of both are still available HERE. Thanks for your continued support!

08/27/18: The 2018 Southern California Tionól will take place over the weekend of October 26, 27 & 28, 2018. Guests include Joey Abarta, K Padraig O'Kane & our special guest representing NPU, Emmett Gill. We look forward to seeing you there! ::: more»

07/18/2018: REVIEW: Introducing my new flute by Seery Flutes! It's a beauty. It plays strong, easy and perfectly in tune. I can't say enough good things about it. Mine is the delrin model, which I like, as it is basically bulletproof... and you can defend yourself with it! Having said that, it isn't heavy. The turning on the outside has been refined compared to older models I've seen, especially on the head joint, where more material has been subtly removed but it remains thicker around the embouchure. If you are a flute player you are probably familiar with these flutes, they are a popular, affordable (and incredibly well playing) alternative to the traditional wooden flute.

Sadly Des passed away in 2015, which I just found out at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy. I am proud to say that I met him. He lived in Bray, close to my family. I brought him some California cane several years ago for his reeds. He was a gentleman and wonderfully cheery soul. Fortunately, his legacy continues!