10/28/17: I have updated the classified submission recommendations suggesting users create a temporary email address to use on this site. I hope this will help curb spam issues people have experienced.

10/01/17: The Southern California Tionól will take place over the weekend of November 10, 11 & 12. The guest instructor is Patrick Hutchinson ::: more

09/29/17: Tiarnán O Duinnchinn is delighted to launch new solo Piping CD; "Reggish Paddy". Available to download or buy (hard copy posted) from www.tiarnan.ie Here is what Andy Irvine had to say "Tiarnan O Duinnchinn's new album is a revelation. His creative and inventive use of regulators has always been a mind blower for me. Well do I remember listening to him playing on a sunny Summer's day at a fleadh in Cavan a few years ago.I was overcome with emotion.The same feeling I last had listening to Willie Clancy in similar circumstances in Scariff in 1964." ::: link

08/26/17: Uilleann piper Eoin O'Riabhaigh has launched a new website promoting his pipemaking! Best of luck with the new venture Eoin! ::: link

08/18/17: I am very excited to annouce that I have been invited to teach at The Pipers' Gathering, Litchfield, CT. on August 18-20, 2017. Check out their website to sign up or request a private lesson. See you there! ::: more

07/15/17: On July 15th/16th weekend Marco Pollier is making a rare visit to England from Clare as a tutor at the Pat Molloy Summer School in Birmingham, England. He will also be performing at the Saturday night concert.

03/27/17: Website Update: I have removed the old Google Search Box that was in the left menu and added the new version to the top of each page. I think it will help you navigate the site better and find what you are looking for faster. Let me know what you think!

12/09/16: Another great year of uilleann piping has transpired and it's not over yet! Thanks to everyone for visiting the site. Thanks also to all those that listed classified ads. They help keep the wheels greased around here and every contribution is greatly appreciated. Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you all!

06/05/16: Cillian Vallely has just released his first solo cd, "The Raven's Rock". It features his brothers Niall (concertina) and Caoimhin (piano) and a few friends that he's played with over the years including Sean Og Graham, Paul Meehan, Ryan McGiver (guitars), Jeremy Kittel (fiddle) & Brian Morrissey (bodhran).
The record is now available on his new website www.CillianVallely.com and can be mailed to all corners of the world. There's also a few clips on there to listen to.
To download the cd, you can go to www.cdbaby.com/cd/cillianvallely
For anyone close to New York City, there's a launch gig on June 11th at the stunning Pier A in lower Manhattan. This will feature some of the musicians on the cd and fellow members of Lunasa including Kevin Crawford, Colin Farrell, and Patrick Doocey. Details here.

05/09/16: The earliest motion picture involving uilleann pipes was recently uploaded to YouTube. It's a film titled Kathleen Mavourneen. It was shot in New York in 1906. I wonder what tune he was playing? Update: Apparently thie piper is still unknown. Can anyone elaborate? If so please email me ::: more »

08/28/15: Jim Dowling Uileann Pipe and Trad Festival
Glengarriff ,West Cork is delighted to announce the line-up for the 2016 Jim Dowling Uilleann Pipe and Trad Festival, which takes place from 16th to 19th June 2016.
The festival has grown from small beginnings in 2013 to become one of the highlights on Ireland's festival map, attracting the country's top trad musicians and ever bigger audiences.
This year's stellar line-up includes Dervish, Davy Spillane, Connla, The Bonny Men, The Pipers Union, Blackie O'Connell ,Tom Delany,David Power, Sean Mckeon, Eoin O Riabhraigh, Caroline Keane,Liam o Connor and many more including Northumbrian Piper Andy May.
Throughout the weekend, there will be 32 scheduled trad sessions and, if previous years are anything to go by, many more spontaneous sessions. There will also be workshops, master classes and numerous events taking place around Glengarriff village.
Glengarriff, renowned for its breathtaking scenery, is a must-visit destination on the Wild Atlantic Way. The village is packed with lively pubs and superb restaurants. So why not plan your visit to coincide with the Jim Dowling Uilleann Pipe and Trad Festival? We look forward to seeing you.
Details of all concerts and events can be found on our website ::: www.jimdowlingfestival.eu »

08/28/15: Announcing the Southern California Tionól 2015 November 6, 7 & 8. Featuring guest pipers Joey Abarta and Michael Stribling. Pre-registration is heartily encouraged!!! Details available at: http://socalpipers.com/ See you there! ::: more »

08/03/15: In an attempt to gain more music students I have signed up for a service called TakeLessons.com - Visit my profile, read my reviews, ask me a question ::: more »

06/05/15: I am now on twitter under the name @piper_darcy - see you in the twittersphere!

05/18/15: The Ne'er Duwels CD is now available for purchase online at www.NeerDuwels.com

05/11/15: This Saturday, May 17th, a project I've been working on for two years will be launched in Pasadena California! The Ne'er Duwels is the name of the band. It's a festival friendly melenge of four individual musicians that bring their experience and musicality to the table. What a feast! See the Website for details.

04/13/15: New York piper Bill Ochs has released a double CD of Micho Russell recordings to coincide with Micho's 100th birthday. It is available on CD and also on iTunes.

01/22/15: I just created a YouTube playlist featuring videos I have made for students over the years to help them learn tunes. Subscribe and enjoy! Visit The Playlist

01/02/15: Happy New Year to you all! Thanks for your continued support. May your reeds forever melodiously sing! Enjoy!

06/30/14: Cúirt An Phíobaire Presents a MEGA SESSION. Saturday, 28 June 2014, 7.30 p.m. An Díseart, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland. Featuring Paddy Keenan, Leonard barry, Kevin Rowsome and members of Na Piobairí Uilleann also local musicians and friends flyer ::: more »

05/12/14: The Pipers' Gathering, August 22 - 24, 2014
New Location: Wisdom House, Litchfield, Connecticut
Featured uilleann pipe instructors: Kevin Rowsome and Joey Abarta.
Register now and save money on tuition ! website »

03/10/14: Waterford piper, David Power, has just released a new CD titled "The 18 Moloney" featuring a wonderful historic set of pipes endowed to him by pipemaker Mal White and made by the Moloney brothers of Clare in pre-famine times. David is a piper of exceptional skill and taste, this is not a recording to be missed! more »

02/28/14: Congratulations to Na Piobairi Uilleann on the launch of their new website. Nice job guys! Exciting times ahead! more »

01/04/14: I have added a form to the Classifieds page in an effort to make submitting an ad easier more »

12/24/13: Happy Christmas to everyone in the uilleann piping community. Here's to another year of pumping, squeezing, cramping, scraping, tweeking, tapping, drueling, blistering. May your elbows keep pumping and your fingers keep flayling!

12/16/13: A new reedmaking book is now available. Reedmaking by Martin Gallen, a 70 page full colour step by step guide to his method of reedmaking more »

12/12/13: I am currently sold out of whistles. I am currently researching good quality, affordable instruments to stock. If you have a favourite let me know here »

11/19/13: The Lesson request form has been updated to include the 10% discount for 4 prepaid lessons here»

11/18/13: I'm finally back home from six weeks touring immediatly followed by the SoCalTionol, which I think is a word now. Now all I need to do it smoke a turkey. I think that's the sensible thing to do.

10/09/13: Jimmy O'Brien-Moran has just released "Take Me Tender" the long awaited follow up to his album "Sean Reid's Favourite". It is a tribute to the music of Paddy Conneely, a blind piper who lived in Galway. The darling of his age, Conneely gained national fame when his portrait and an accompanying article appeared in the popular Irish Penny Journal of October 3, 1840 - 173 years ago. Having survived the Great Famine Conneely died on September 11, 1851. However, over 180 pieces of his music had been transcribed by at least five collectors leaving a fascinating record of piping style and repertoire in pre-Famine Ireland ::: more»

10/09/13: Welcome to Caleb Cox of Paradise, Northern California. Read his bio here»

10/07/13: Leonard Barry has just released his new CD titled "New Road". Lot's of tasty tunes! ::: more»

09/19/13: I have added a contact form to the contact page. Send me a hello! ::: more»

09/11/13: I am in the process of updating the iTunes Store within this site. I have gotten as far as Tommy Martin. The links below him may or may now work anymore. It's a pretty comprehensive list of uilleann piping albums and related albums those pipers have played on. Go have a look ::: more»

09/02/13: The Long Beach Fleadh an Irish Music and Oyster Festival is coming up this weeeknd, September 14 & 15, in Long Beach, CA. I will be hosting the "Session Tent" accompanied by Moira Smiley (song), Kira Ott (fiddle), Jimmy Murphy (guitar), Michael Esken (Box etc.) Maire Clerkin (dance). We will each do a 45 min presentation of our instrument and what we do with it and then cap it off in the evening with a ceili dance and session. The session tent schedule looks something like this:

Saturday

• 12.00 – 12.45 exhibition 1 - Patrick D'Arcy
• 1 to 1.45 exhibition 2 - Michael Eskin
• 2 to 2.45 exhibition 3 - Moira Smiley
• 3 to 3.45 exhibition 4 - Kira Ott & Jimmy Murphy
• 4 to 4.45 Ceilí - Maire Clerkin & Whoever Has The Energy
• 5 to ? Session Mór - The Long Beach Fleadh Ceili Band

• 12.00 – 12.45 exhibition 1 - Michael Eskin
• 1 to 1.45 exhibition 2 - Kira Ott
• 2 to 2.45 exhibition 3 - Patrick D'Arcy
• 3 to 3.45 exhibition 4 - Jimmy Murphy
• 4 to 4.45 Ceilí - Maire Clerkin & Whoever Has The Energy
• 5 to ? Session Mór - The Long Beach Fleadh Ceili Band

04/02/13: Check out the new CD from Pat Broaders, Liz Knowles and Kieran O'Hare "Open The Door For Three" ::: more»

03/23/13: Sign up time for piping, whistle & bodhrán lessons. Now that the silly season is behind us I have some time to take on students once again. We can either work using Skype or you can come to my home if you live close by ::: more»

03/12/13: Happy St. Patrick's Week to everyone! Remember the old Irish proverb, "He who pays the piper calls the tune!". May your tunes be often and plentiful!

01/12/13: A Guide to Reed making for the Uilleann Pipes
by Patrick O' Hare
... A guide to reed making for the uilleann pipes is a new publication on the art of reed making by professional reed maker Patrick O' Hare.
Patrick was taught the art of reed making by Dave Hegarty, Francie Mc Peake III and Brian Howard. After many years studying and practicing the art of reed making Patrick is now considered to be one of the fore most experts on reed making today. His reeds are played by a host of top performers such as John Mc Sherry, Sylvain Barou and Blackie O' Connell.
He has taught reed making extensively at numerous tionals and reed making workshops and is a regular teacher at the Pipecraft centre in Dublin. Some of Patricks former reed making students are now considered to be expert reed makers themselves. This new book on the subject is the result of many years hard work studying the craft of reed making and developing a method of reed making which will help to take away the fear that many pipers have when it comes to the dark art.
The book is in A4 format with over 60 high quality full colour photographs, on high quality gloss paper, detailing each of the reed making stages in a clear and concise fashion.
To order contact Paddy at pohare1(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk

01/03/13: Happy New Year to you all. Hopefully see you along the way in 2013!

11/28/12: Christmas Special Offer CD Sale! 25% discount if you order by Dec. 25th at www.patrickdarcymusic.com

10/23/12: I just signed up for a pretty well put together service called Reverbnation which helps musicians and bands. Might be of use to some of you out there :::

10/23/12: Emmett Gill and Jesse Smith just released a wonderful new CD titled "The Rookery" ::: more»

10/21/12: Réalta take a lively, exciting and respectful approach to Irish traditional music. Reared on a staple diet of The Bothy Band, Planxty and other such classics, this Belfast based band captures the timeless aspects of the tradition and gently infuses them with elements from other musical genre. Performing on dual uilleann pipes, whistles, guitar, bouzouki and bodhrán this multi-instrumentalist group present an enchanting programme of dance music interspersed with the occasional story, air and song. A youthful curiosity is evident in the musical arrangement and is paired with a strict attention to detail in its execution ::: more»

10/20/12: Happy International Uilleann Piping Day everybody! The Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club will be on NPUtv between 11 & 11:30am (PST) as Na Píobairí Uilleann scan the globe for festivities! ::: more»

10/13/12: Pipemaker, Ray Sloan, has been added to the Pipemaker Showcase ::: more»

10/11/12: On the lessons page I have included some sample videos of previous lessons I've given. The tunes include An Rógaire Dubh, Na Ceannabháin Bhána, The Cliffs of Moher, Sixpenny Money, Fraher's Jig, The Rambling Pitchfork, Jenny's Wedding, The Morning Thrush, and The Pure Drop ::: more»

10/08/12: I have added another buying option for my CD that you might find useful. You can buy the physical CD and highest possibe quality download for the price of the CD alone, or you can buy the download only. Includes high res PDF of liner notes too! Enjoy! http://patrickdarcy.bandcamp.com

09/17/12: Very excited to announce that my CD is now available through iTunes. Wallop the Spot - Patrick D'Arcy

08/22/12: My debut solo CD "Wallop The Spot" is done! It landed on my doorstep on Monday. If you would like to buy one I am currently selling them using Paypal via my website at PatrickDarcyMusic.com. They will also be available in the next week or two at CDBaby, iTunes etc. Thanks for your support!

08/13/12: My debut solo CD "Wallop The Spot" is almost finished being printed and should be on my doorstep this Saturday. I'm looking forward to its arrival and sharing it with you! Watch this space! :)

07/12/12: Kavan Donohoe Harper & Uileann Piper from Cavan has just recorded the first ever vPipes ® Cd and its coming out at the All Ireland Fleadh in Cavan 2012! ::: more»

07/16/12: Welcome Johnny Redstone to the biography page.

06/29/12: I just added a link to a very promising young pipemaker to the pipemakers page. Makoto Nakatsui of Sapporo, Japan.

06/21/12: I would like to welcome two new pipers to the biography page. Tony Collins and Preston Howard. May God have mercy on your souls!

06/19/12: I'm back now from a moth spent touring in Ireland, Scotland and England with the Getty's. What a great experience! Then it was straight into playing the Irish Fair this past weekend in Irvine. The Sunday night was rounded off by playing a private shindig for the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond MSP, and his entourage at a private home in Hollywood. I look forward to playing a few tunes with you soon. It's the Timmy Nolan's session tonight, if you're around?

05/09/12: RTÉ Radio: The Pipes by John Kelly. Barry McGovern and Conor MacNeill star in 'The Pipes' by writer and broadcaster John Kelly, with original recordings by Liam O'Flynn. A wayward character sells his soul to become a master of the Uilleann Pipes, in a comic odyssey from Enniskillen to New York via 'Augustinian whirlpools of vice'. Producer: Kevin Brew ::: more»

04/04/12: Last weekend I had the pleasure of playing a concert with modern hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty at The Grand Ole Opry as special guests of bluegrass mandolin legend Ricky Skaggs ::: more»

03/17/12: ♣ Happy St. Patrick's Day! ♣

02/11/12: I just downloaded a new album by Paddy Moloney and poet John Montague called The Wild Dog Rose. A wonderful selection of poemering, uilleann pipering, whistling, harpering and fluthering. As close to a solo album as we may get from Paddy Moloney. I highly recommend it! ::: more»

01/04/12: Happy New Year everyone. Here's to a happy, healthy and musical 2012!

11/02/11: I have created an iTunes page specific to uilleann piping available for download at the iTunes Store. Please use it often as every purchase helps keep this website going ::: more»

10/05/11: Peter Laban sent me some images of old piping related postcards he has collected over the past few years along with some other items of interest. You can see them on his page ::: more»

08/08/11: Concertina Player, Noel Hill, will give a house concert on Sunday, August 21st, 7:00pm in La Crescenta, CA. Tickets are $20 at the door. Space is limited so please R.S.V.P. to Ckollgaard@aol.com Following the concert there will be a reception/party/session. (BYOB)

07/08/11: I am now selling brand new Generation and Feadóg tin whistles. Currently I have them in the key of D in nickel. If you are interested in other keys let me know ::: more»

06/15/11: The Southern California Tionól this year will take place over the weekend of November 11, 12 & 13. We have secured Jimmy O'Brien-Moran, Michael Cooney and Benedict Koehler with a special appearance by David Quinn this year. It'll be a good one! ::: more»

06/01/11: The Northeast Tionól will take place October 21-24, Gavin's Resort, East Durham, NY. Piping: Nollaig Mac Cárthaigh, Michael Cooney, Tom Creegan, Fiachra O'Regan, Jerry O'Sullivan. Reed Workshop: Seth Gallagher. Fiddle: Oisín MacDiarmada, Willie Kelly ::: more»

05/27/11: Seán Tyrrell, Kevin Glackin and Ronan Browne have just released a CD together named "and so the story goes..." and are currently touring it around Ireland ::: more»

04/22/11: The first Oireachtas of the North American Gaeltacht will take place 1 - 3 July, 2011. As well as language and song there are also instrument competitions, including uilleann piping ::: more»

04/20/11: A recent edition of RTE's The Rolling Wave featured Aoife Ní Bhriain (daughter of Mick O'Brien) and Pádraic Keane (Tommy Keane's son) in the Irish Embasssy in Berlin last month. Aoife (fiddle) recently won the Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal 2010 and Pádraic is The TG4 Gradam Ceoil Young Musician of the Year 2011::: play»
Two tunes were also played from the concert in the previous weeks programme at play» (starts at 32.30)

03/07/11: This is fascinating! South Indian Carnatic music played on the violin began with an Irish fiddler/soldier in the British army stationed in India ::: more» more again»

03/03/11: I am playing more shows these days so keep an eye on the "concerts" section on the right for dates. Looking forward to seeing you along the way.

03/03/11: Just getting around to some badly needed maintenence stuff on the site. Things should work better in Safari and Firefox now. Let me know if you notice any issues.

01/31/11: David Quinn sent me new photos of a Tayloresque set he just finished pitched in C! ::: more»

01/29/11: The South East Tionol, February 25-27, 2011. Orlando, Florida. Featuring: Mick O'Brien, Michael Cooney, Kara Doyle, and Pat Sky ::: more»

01/22/11: In May 2007 NPU had some pictures taken of my Koehler & Quinn concert pitched set. The shoot took place at the home of Ronan Browne in Spiddal, Co. Galway and the photographer was Colm Hogan. These beautiful pictures are now available to view on the NPU Source website ::: more»

01/22/11: In The Ould Ago, meaning a long time ago, is a book of Illustrated Irish Folklore book by Johnny McKeagney. It comprises of 200 intricately hand-drawn illustrated pages of Irish traditions, crafts, history, countryside, farming ways, wildlife, myths and customs. All sewn together in a case-bound hardback A3 size cover and printed by Nicholson & Bass. Competition: You could win one of 5 copies of In The Ould Ago. Simply answer the question and submit your details below to enter ::: more»

November 6, 7 & 8 - Southern California Tionól with guests Kevin Rowsome & Benedict Koehler
::: more»
06/08/09: Northeast Tionól - October 23-25, 2009 - East Durham, NY. Guests include: Brian McNamara, Máire Ní Ghráda, Patrick Hutchinson, Bill Ochs, Sean Ryan. Reedmaking: Bruce Childress. Fiddle: Kathleen Collins, Cleek Schrey.
05/18/09: Thank you very much to Tom, Adele & Flora and all the GNIPC folks, such as Patrick Maun, Patrick Cole & Pat McCormick among others, for such a great weekend in St. Paul ::: more»

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04/21/09: We are very excited in the Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club to be welcoming PIPERLINK to The Neighborhood Church of Pasadena on May 10th, 2009.

Featuring uilleann pipers Gay McKeon & Tommy Keane, eminent folklorist Seán Donnelly, and vocalist Muireann Nic Ambhlaoibh.

Click here to download PDF document with details about the show.

To make your reservation please email Larry Dunn at larry@socalpipers.com

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05/18/09: A hearty CONGRATULATIONS to Joey Abarta for winning the uilleann piping segment of the 2009 Mid-West Fleadh Cheoil this past weekend. He also got first place in accompaniment on bodhrán and second place on whistle ::: more»
05/04/09: "The Carberry Piper" Bernard Joseph O'Donovan has surfaced again. This time at a younger age and in the National Library of Ireland ::: more»
03/18/09: Celebrated Irish singer, banjo player, folklorist and seanchaí, Mick Moloney, along with former Riverdance fiddler, Athena Tergis and LA fiddler Melanie Nolley and recently of Sas Diego flutist, dancer, singer and bodhrání Ben Power this Friday evening, the 20th of March at McKeagney's in San Juan Capistrano. Click here for the flyer. Ben Power is accepting reservations this email address "benpower at mac dot com" ::: more»
03/16/09: Cillian Vallely has a new website to help promote his new CD "On Common Ground" with Kevin Crawford ::: more»
03/13/09: Joe Shannon turned up on YouTube playing his famed Taylor set. Nice to see Joe play! ::: more»
03/13/09: A piece of video of note has been brought to my attention by David Quinn. It is of Leo Rowsome playing "The Heather Breeze" for a group of young dancers in a film named "Broth of A Boy" starring Barry Fitzgerald ::: more»
03/09/09: A very nice online photo collection has become available ::: more»
03/02/09: John McCormack and Patsy Tuohy at the St Louis World Fair ::: more»
02/27/09: Boston piper, flautist and pianist Gene Frain passes away ::: more»
02/27/09: Chris Norman Masterclass, hosted by Jim Walker and the Colburn School / Conservatory. Irish and traditional wooden flute player extraordinaire Chris Norman will be giving a 2-hour masterclass on Monday, March 9 at 7:00pm in Thayer Hall at the Colburn School / Conservatory of Music (Downtown LA, across the street from Disney Concert Hall). Everyone should bring their flutes, as Chris formats his classes for audience participation, and volunteers may be asked to play as well. For those of you not familiar with Chris, you can read about him at his website »
02/26/09: Happy Birthday to Patrick J. Touhey born February 26, 1865. He'd be 144 today. Thanks to Barry O'Neill for bringing this to my attention.
02/17/09: I just added the photos accumulated thus far of the West Coast Tionól which took place this past weekend in San Francisco ::: more»
02/17/09: There is some great music on Clare FM ( surprise, surprise! ;) The Kitchen Sessions have returned and this week come from Willie & Siobhain Kelly's in New Jersey. Featuring players such as Mike Rafferty, Mnsr. Charlie Coen, Martin Mulhaire, Michael Cooney and Jerry O'Sullivan, Kathleen Conneely, Damien Connolly, Mike McHale, Willie and Siobhan, and others. Thanks to Brad Hurley for the tip! ::: more»
02/12/09: I just watched a powerful old documentary called "The Irishman", about Irish people living & working in England in the 50's and 60's. A Philip Donnellan film for the BBC with advice given by Seamus Ennis. Keep an eye out for the bauld Seamus playing tunes in the lunch room on the whistle! It was never broadcast as it was considered too harsh for public consumption ::: more»
02/03/09: Just a note to let you know that Geantrai from Master Deery's in Monaghan is being braodcast at, 20.00 Friday night Feb 6th on TG4, Presented by Tiarnan o Duinnchinn, featuring, Stephanie Makem, (singing), Sean, Michael Conor agus Donal McCague (Banjos, guitar and fiddle), Laura Beagan and Barry McLaughlin on fiddle and Rona Dinkin on concertinaSabina McCague on harp with Padraig McGovern on the uilleann pipes, .They are joined for a set with their siblings James McGovern (flute) and Melissa McCague (fiddle) and Sean McElwaine on guitar ::: more»
02/03/09: Dublin piper Seán McKeon & fiddler Liam O'Connor have just released a CD entitled "Dublin Made Me". You can hear it on their myspace page and buy it from Claddagh Records
01/27/09: The San Francisco Pipers' Club will host the 2009 West Coast Tionól on February 13-15, 2009 (Presidents' Day weekend). Emmett Gill will be the guest piper ::: more»
01/27/09: St. Louis Tionól April 3, 4, and 5th, 2009. Guest pipers will be Gay McKeon, Peter Browne, Michael Cooney and Tommy Martin ::: more»
01/27/09: Vermont Institute of Celtic Arts will host a Scottish Smallpipe / Borderpipe weekend March 14-15, 2009 ::: more»
01/19/09: Kynch O'Kaine was here visiting for the weekend and mentioned this website. A great resource for tunes! ::: more»
01/16/09: House Concert: Irish Traditional Music on Harp and Flute featuring Marta Cook on Irish Harp & Ben Power on wooden flute, bodhrán, song, sean nós dance. This is a rare opportunity to see one of the world's finest Irish harpers in Southern California. Monday, January 19th at 8.00pm. Tickets $15. At Eileen and Gabriel McKeagney's in San Juan Capistrano. Bio's and an example of this duo's playing can be heard at myspace.com/woodenflute - For further information contact Ben at bepoq1@gmail.com or Eileen at emckeagney@cox.net
01/15/09: Peter Heelan sent me an image of an old postcard of "An Irish Piper" ::: more»
01/13/09: Photos of a very very fine new Koehler & Quinn concert pitch set have been added to the Koehler & Quinn page ::: more»
01/07/09: The autobiography of Bill Thomas, New Hampshire, has been added to the "Piper Bios" page. It's nice to have you included Bill, I enjoyed spending time with you at the East Coast Tionol of 2006 ::: more»
01/05/09: Brendan Ring will be starting to teach piping and reed-making in 2009 at his chateau in the South-West of France. Further details are available on his website ::: more»
12/15/08: Some very sad news. Tommy Kearney has passed away in Waterford. He was a gent of a man. I remember meeting him at Willie Week and seeing him on his daily walk by my class window. He was always excited to meet other pipers and patient with their entusiasm. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam ::: more»
12/15/08: An article appears today in The Irish Times about the music collector Canon Goodman. It mentions a TV programme that will air this coming Wednesday on TG4 at 9.30pm entitled "James Goodman: Caomhnóir Ceol". Mick O'Brien and Caoimhín O Raghallaigh will be featured ::: more»
12/04/08: This months meeting marks the 11th anniversary of the Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club. Now all that's left to do is celebrate in style! Here's to many, many more years of comaraderie with these contraptions!
11/18/08: JMI The Journal of Music in Ireland has unlocked it's archive to the public. There are lots of great articles and interviews in there to keep you busy ::: more»
11/14/08: Woodworker and uilleann piper from Fermannagh and California, Gabriel McKeagney, is finally making available his amazing uilleann pipes carvings ::: more»
11/13/08: 15th William Kennedy Piping Festival, 13th - 16th November 2008. With this years event about to start we would like to announce details of RADIO WKPF. We will be broadcasting several events live from the festival and also repeating highlights of the festival for the following two weeks. Go to www.wkpf.org and click on the link to gain access. Events covered will be Festival Concert 1 on Friday 14th, Festival Concert 2 on Saturday 15th, A World of Piping 3 on Sunday 16th and the Uilleann Pipes Concert also on the 16th. There are limited tickets available for some events still. Please contact the Market Place Theatre box office for details or contact this address for events outside of the theatre ::: more»
11/10/08: Sad news of the passing of the great uilleann pipe maker Alain Froment was released over the weekend. May he rest in peace.
11/04/08: There are photos now posted of last weekends Southern California Tionól on the club website www.SoCalPipers.com »
11/04/08: Piper John O'Brien and boxer Paudie O'Connor have released a great CD titled "Wind & Reeds". They also play some nice whistle duets ::: more»
11/03/08: The Southern California Tionól was a great success. Thanks to everyone that attended and took part in any way especially our teachers Nollaig McCarthaigh, Tommy Martin, Martin Preshaw and Michael O'Donovan. Larry Dunn for keeping it all under control and our hosts Gabriel & Eileen!
11/03/08: Here are the details on the Eoin O'Riabhaigh and Hammie Hamilton workshops in San Francisco. They will take place next Saturday, November 8th, at the Plough and Stars in San Francisco, on Clement Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Piping workshop: 10:30 - 12 noon. Flute workshop: 12:30 - 2pm. Fee: $20.
10/30/08: Getting around to adding some photos from the North East Tionól. Thanks to everyone there for such a great weekend ::: more»
10/20/08: A number of interesting items have turned up on the internet of late. I have added them to the diary section ::: more»
09/18/08: The Chicago Celtic Fest was a great experience all around, despite the bad weather and Sunday being cancelled due to hurricaine Ike. It was a wonderful oppertunity to meet the Chicago Pipers Club gang and absorb some of the wonderful comeraderie and music there. Thanks to Bob Kellam and the City of Chicago. I'd also like to thank Kieran O'Hare and Pat Broaders for welcoming me and of course Pat & Karen Cannady for all their support and kind friendship.
09/08/08: STOLEN PIPES: Please keep an eye open for Tim Foley's Martin Preshaw half set which was stolen from his car last night in La Jolla, just north of San Diego. I'll post photos as soon as I get them. Further information and updates are available at the following link ::: more»
08/28/08: A fabulous old set by Michael Egan is stored at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Naka Ishii was present during a lecture there by Benedict Koehler and took these great photographs ::: more»
08/25/08: I have added a Pipemaker Showcase section to the Classifieds page. I think it would be a handy way for pipemakers to get their name out there and attract some orders ::: more»
08/19/08: Some more photos from David Quinn of another fabulous set. This one in the Robert Reid style that he has just finished. I have added them to the Koehler & Quinn page ::: more»
08/19/08: Newfoundland's first uilleann piping tionol will be held in St. Johns, Newfoundland on the weekend of October 10-12, 2008. Featured pipers will be Gay McKeon and Tommy Keane. This will also mark the inaugural meeting of the Newfoundland Uilleann Pipers Club. This event is kindly sponsored by Culture Ireland and Na Piobairi Uilleann! Contact Robertbrown@nf.sympatico.ca for further details.
08/18/08: David Quinn sent me some photographs of a fabulous set in the Taylor style that he has just finished. I have added them to the Koehler & Quinn page ::: more»
08/14/08: The Southern California Tionól will take place this year from Oct 31st to Nov 2nd... Halloween weekend! Our guests will be Nollaig MacCárthaigh, Tommy Martin, Martin Preshaw and David Quinn. Looking forward to seeing some of you there! ::: more»
08/13/08: Na Píobairí Uilleann have recently added new videos to their members only resources|download section. Performances by Eliot Grasso, Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich & Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Kieran O'Hare & Jesse Smith, Gary Hastings & Tara Diamond, Peter Browne, Catherine McEvoy & Joe Kennedy among others ::: more»
07/30/08: The Irish Traditional Music Archive will be starting to host a lot of their materials digitally online a press release announced today. This is great news! ::: more»
07/28/08: A note to those awaiting their pipes to be listed for sale on the site. I have received an incredible amount of pipes for sale in the last week. I'll be adding them as soon as I can. Thanks and keep them coming!
07/22/08: I just received a couple of photos from Jim Reilly of Irish Arts Week. Looked like a great time! ::: more»
06/04/08: I have created some more merchandise items such as new t-shirts, a bumper sticker, round sticker, mug, fridge magnet, keychain, hat, badge, mousepad, greetings card and a pipers apron! - that sort of thing. The t-shirts can be in any colour and in any style! High fashion, I must say ::: more»
06/04/08: Armagh Pipers Club are delighted to announce details of the 15th anniversary edition of the William Kennedy Piping Festival to be held in Armagh over the weekend of the 13-16 November 2008. For full programme details please visit www.wkpf.org. Tickets will go on sale 08.08.08. ::: more»
05/27/08: A new album "Ceol is Piob" has just been released by Stephanie Makem and Tiarnan O Duinnchinn featuring traditional song and uilleann piping ::: more»
05/23/08: Ronan Browne & Caoimhín O Raghallaigh are on The Full Set this week. I, for one, am a happy camper :) ::: more»
05/19/08: Thanks to Tom, Adele and Flora and all involved in the G.N.I.P.C. Tionól in St. Paul, MN. What a great weekend! I would like to mention a special thank you to all the Patrick's; Patrick, Patrick and Patrick, thank you ::: more»
05/19/08: The Tionól and AGM of Na Píobairí Uilleann takes place over the weekend of 23rd – 25th May. This is a significant event as it marks 40 years since the first Tionól in Bettystown in 1968 and many of the original founders will be on hand to reflect on the origins of Na Píobairí Uilleann and the huge growth in piping in the intervening years. In addition to the regular series of lectures, classes and workshops of particular note are: Regulator workshop with Ronan Browne, Airs workshop with Tommy Keane, Reed making with Dave Hegarty & Benedict Koehler, Lecture on the Origins of Na Píobairí Uilleann with Séamus Mac Mathuna and Liam McNulty, Lecture of Music Notation in Transmission of Irish Music with Pat Mitchell, Musical Walking Tour with Mick O’Connor. Click on the link below for a full list of events and to register ::: more»
04/28/08: Here's To You Ronnie Drew! God bless him ::: more»
04/28/08: I am starting to list the sold dates on the sold items in the Classifieds section as an interesting note of how fast some of these sets sell ::: more»
04/15/08: I have decided to discontinue the pipes wanted section. If looking for used pipes check the Classifieds on this site, send me an email or post a request on the Chiff & Fipple Uilleann Pipes forum is the best place to start.
04/08/08: The SCUPC Spring Tionol was very nice. Mickey Dunne was the calm gentleman we've all come to know. It was a pleasure having him around and was sad to see him go. Looking forward to the next one Mickey!
03/19/08: We have a SCUPC Spring Tionól coming up on April 5th & 6th. Our guest this year is Mickey Dunne. The Tionól will start around 10:00am at Larry's Dunn's house. Morning workshop from 10-noon, afternoon from 2:00-4:00pm. Registration for the weekend is $75.00, concert only is $20.00. RSVP please to larry@socalpipers.com
03/05/08: A message from Kieran O'Hare: This message is to announce that the Chicago Pipers' Club will hold a meeting at 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, March 30, at the Irish American Heritage Center, at 4626 N. Knox in Chicago. Kevin Henry tells me that at one time there were 32 pipers in Chicago; this will be a good opportunity to see how close to that number we can get! Pipers from Wisconsin, Indiana, and any other state, province, or country are more than welcome to attend. If you have any questions, email me at kjpohare@gmail.com, or Pat Broaders at pat.broaders@gmail.com.
03/03/08: Photos of The West Coast Tionól, this year held in Seattle, are avaialble at this link. A great weekend by the looks of things ::: more»
02/25/08: A message from John Prange: Don’t forget that BEOGA beogamusic.com are playing in California this weekend and touring the U.S. thereafter. For you Southern Californians they are playing at The LIBRARY in San Juan Capistrano musicatthelibrary.com Great Band! Should be a great show. Small venue. Also playing at the Plow in the Stars San Francisco CA Friday and Sunday at Trinity church in San Diego.
01/28/08: The Great Northern Irish Pipers Club Tionól will take place May 17 & 18, 2008. Guests include Jimmy O'Brien-Moran and myself - G.N.I.P.C. ::: more»
01/28/08: The Saint Louis Tionól will be held the weekend of April 4 - 6, 2008. Guest pipers will include Tiarnán O Duinnchinn, Michael Cooney, Kieran O'Hare, and Tommy Martin. All the details and registration can be had at www.tionol.org ::: more»
01/17/08: Congratulations to The Hudson River Pipers' Club. They have officially launched a very fine website ::: more»
01/16/08: Pat McSweeney found an article of interest written by Canon James Goodman. He found it in a book in the Laval University Library called Irish Folk Music and Song by Donal O'Sullivan, illustrations by Muriel Brandt. It was published by Colm O'Lochlainn/Three Candles in 1952. It is attached here as a PDF file ::: more»
01/01/08: Wishing all my visitors a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. Here's to a great 2008. Keep on piping! - Pat.
12/09/07: We are celebrating our 10th Anniversary this December at the Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club. We marked the occassion at this months meeting ::: more»
11/30/07: The North East Pipers' Club Tionól took place over the weekend of October 26 - 28, 2007. Thanks to Neil Begley (Píobaire Inis Fada) for these great photos ::: more»
11/30/07: All you Russian pipers make your way to Moscow this weekend. Mick O'Brien will be playing with the musical theatre ensemble "Running Beast" written by Michael Holohan to comemmorate the 400th anniversary of the Flight of the Earl's.
11/28/07: There is a new CD available from the legendary fiddler Bobby Casey called "The Spirit of West Clare". It's available from Copperplate Distribution. Another thing about Copperplate of note is Alan O'Leary's podcast. He also plays a great selection with a couple of piping tracks thrown in to keep the squeezers happy ::: more»
11/26/07: TG4's Geantraí music programme was broadcast from The Cobblestone Pub in Dublin last night. Featured pipers include Neilidh Mulligan, Conor McKeon and Eoghan Garvey. Here's how to see it: Go to www.tg4.tv - Then click "Ceol - Cartlann" in the left menu and then go to programme dated 25/11/2007 ::: more»
11/05/07: The 2007 Southern California Tionól was a great success. Photos and comments will appear as people emerge ::: more»
11/05/07: It sounds like the 2007 East Coast Tionól was a great success. A great review and photos hav ebeen sent to mee by Molly Josephine Hester ::: more»
10/25/07: Photographer Timothy Raab has added a section to his site featuring the 2006 East Coast Tionól ::: more»
10/19/07: Photo of Nicolas Brown , Ontario , Canada added from Peter Laban ::: more»
10/19/07: Postcard of unknown piper, published NPO Belfast, postmark 1910 ::: more»
10/15/07: Paddy Moloney of The Chieftain's has been presented with the Honorary Chairman position with the Japan Uilleann Pipers Club ::: more»
10/03/07: I came across a nice free metronome online at metronomeonline.com also gives a reliable A440 tone ::: more»
10/01/07: Ronan Browne is one of the featured artists on a new programme on RTE called "Transatlantic Sessions" ::: more»
09/25/07: We had a great weekend with Paddy Keenan. Photos and other effigies will surface at some point I'm sure.... and here they are! ::: more»
09/21/07: Peter Laban has sent me some lovely new photographs. The first are on his page within this site and are of Quilty piper Michael Falsey ::: more»
The second batch are from a concert he played at Bantry House in Kerry with Kitty Hayes and some other musicians ::: more»
09/20/07: The Irish Festival of Oulu, Finland brings the City a weekend full of lively events and cultural entertainment, celebrating the richness of Irish culture through dance, art, story telling, an Irish Wolfhound show, and plenty of traditional Irish music. The inaugural festival of 2006 was a huge success and officially put Oulu on the international map of traditional Irish music festivals ::: more»
08/30/07: Scoil Cheoil na Botha is taking place in Scotstown, Co. Monaghan on the 12th-14th October. The line-up for this years workshops include John Carty, Enda Scahill, June Mc Cormack, Michael Rooney, Tiarnán Dinkin, Damien O'Brien and Oliver Loughlin. For more information go to their website ::: more»
08/21/07: The Raw Bar Remix, a TV show dedicated to traditional Irish music ::: more»
08/17/07: Ronan Browne can be seen in concert with Cran on a myspace ::: more»
08/16/07: Jan Winter has notified me of an interview he has posted to his site with Cillian O'Briein ::: more»
08/05/07: Emmett Gill was Aine's guest on this weeks Late Session ::: listen»
08/01/07: Peter Laban just sent along a lovely photo of a session that took place last night in Friel's in Milltown Malbay ::: more»
07/20/07: I just added a PDF of the Tadhg Crowley Uilleann Pipes Totor to the faq page. Thanks to Dave Collins of the SCUPC for providing it ::: more»
07/20/07: Added a very nice resource to the Piping links page. National Museums Scotland has lots of interesting Irish piping related material. try using the search function to find other bits and pieces in there ::: more»

 MISSING PIPES:

Hi fellow pipers,

I'm in a bit of a panic at the moment. I've just returned from a gig in Zaragoza/Spain where my pipes went missing. I'm basically playing a waiting game and am unable to work until they show up. I would very much appreciate it if you could keep a keen eye out for them and if you have any information regarding their whereabouts please contact me at info@johnmcsherry.com

Below is a description of the pipes:
A full set of African blackwood concert D uilleann pipes made by Dave Williams with a keyless boxwood chanter made by Sean McAloon.
The words "Made for John McSherry by Dave Williams, 2000" are engraved on the brass around the stock and one of the tenor regulator keys and mount is broken off.

Also missing are two Overton low whistles (D and F)

Cheers
John McSherry

06/20/07: A new TV show on RTÉONE called The Full Set started recently and features Liam O'Flynn and Paddy Glackin ::: more»
06/07/07: I stumbled across a wonderful print from 1829 of a different blind piper than the one we are familiar with ::: more»
06/06/07: I have been invited back to teach this year at the California Traditional Music Society Solstice Festival. My workshops and performances will take place on Sunday the 24th of June. Visit their website for advance booking (and a price break) ::: more»
06/04/07: Come West Along The Road on TG4 dedicated the full show to a Planxty concert from 1983. Click on "Ceol - Cartlann" on the left side of the page and then "Siar an Bóthar - 01/06/2007" ::: more»
05/29/07: Video this time of Ronan Browne featured on RTE's The View playing with Peadar O'Loughlin, Maeve Donnolly and Sean Corcoran ::: more»
05/19/07: Céilí House broadcast this week from Henrietta Street with The Pipers Ceili Band ::: more»
04/27/07: Ronan Browne is featured on Lyric FM for April 15th playing a live concert ::: more»
04/18/07: A set for sale on Ebay has risen some interest. It is in a Taylor-ish style and includes other interesting bits and pieces ::: more»
04/09/07: Congratulations to Liam O'Flynn on being awarded the TG4 Gradam Ceoil last Friday night ::: more»
04/09/07: Note forwarded from Pat Sky: “Hello fellow pipers, This is an announcement that I have waited for 20 years to do. I am going to retire from working a straight job on the last day of May. My wife, Cathy, and I will be moving to Spruce Pine North Carolina soon, where I will set up shop and try to survive like a normal person. For the first time in many, many years I will be able to travel, so I will be available to do reed making, repair and piping workshops, at house concerts and Tionol’s. So, if anyone out there is planning an event please put me on your “possibilities’ list. All the best, Pat Sky” ::: more»
04/02/07: The 2007 Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club Spring Tionól with guest David Power was a great success. Click the link to check out photos of the event ::: more»
04/01/07: Liam O'Flynn is on this weeks Late Session ::: more»
03/13/07: I have added google ads to the right of the home page. I have received reports that this isn't working properly on some systems, namely Safari and Mozilla based browsers. If you are experiencing this problem I apologize, I am doing everything I can to fix it. If you know how to fix it please let me know at pat1@uilleannobsession.com »
02/23/07: Updated the Diary 2007 page with photos from last weekends tionóil in both San Francisco and An Rinn, Waterford as well as a Mardi Gras session in Nashville! ::: more»
02/22/07: Na Píobairí Uilleann Spain will host their fourth annual tionól over the weekend of 24th and 25th March 2007. Guest piper will be Robbie Hannan ::: more»
02/20/07: I would like to congratulate Na Píobairí Uilleann on the official opening by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern T.D. of their newly refurbishment of 16 Henrietta Street. There are photos and news of the event at www.piper.ie the NPU website. It was also recorded by Peter Browne of RTÉ for his show The Rolling Wave ::: more»
01/31/07: Jimmy O'Brien-Moran hosts this weeks Geantraí on TG4. Available online at www.tg4.tv Click "Ceol - Cartlann" in the left menu and find the date 30/1/2007 ::: more»
22/01/07: I just got set up with Skype and think it could be a great tool for teaching the pipes. All you need is a webcam and a decent internet connection. Webcams come with most new machines and if not you can get one for $20 ::: more»
17/01/07: Chicago piper Kieran O'Hare has a new website up at kieranohare.com of all things! ::: more»
15/01/07: Finally Boston has its own pipers' club! Molly Josephine Hester and Jonathan Hohl Kennedy sent me some pictures from the meeting on 9 January 2007 ::: more»
10/01/07: Pipemaker Joe Kennedy would like his customers to know that he hasn't forgotten about them. Everyone that placed an order is still in his book. He's just catching up after his move back to Canada. Joe can be contacted at unionpipeskennedy@yahoo.ie with any further questions ::: more»
10/01/07: Christy McNamara - photographer and musician from Ennis, Co. Clare, has a new website launched today. He will be having an exhibition of his photographic music work at the Morrison Hotel Gallery on Sunset Blvd. opening on the 13th of March. For this he will also be launching his album which includes Martin Hayes and Denis Cahill and they will perform with him at this opening and launch. He will be moving the exhibition to the Morrison Hotel Gallery in La Jolla, CA with an opening on the 30th & 31st of March. He will also be having music and an album launch there ::: more»
03/01/07: Congratulations to the Boston Uilleann Uilleann Pipers Club. Their first meeting of the new year is coming up on Tuesday, Jan 9th, 2007. All information about the club, including details of the upcoming meeting, can be found by joining the Google group at... ::: more»
02/01/07: Happy New Year! May all your piping dreams come true in 2007!
19/12/06: I have been recording music for over a decade now and thought that it was time to share some of it with you as myself! Most of these tracks were recorded with singer/songwriter Ric Blair for his CD's. Five of the tracks were recorded live in concert during an evening called "Pat D'Arcy & Friends" in San Juan Capistrano, California on June 17, 2006 [The Cual Aodh/Fraher's Jigs - The Rocky Road to Dublin/The Dusty Miller Jigs - An Fáinne Ór - The Ace & Deuce of Pipering - An Leanbh Sídhe/The Independent Hornpipe] I hope you enjoy the few tunes! ::: more»
05/12/06: 27th Lark Camp - Celebration Of World Music, Song & Dance 2007 July 27 - August 4, 2007. Music & Dance Workshops, Cabins, Dances, Parties, Sessions, Great Food, Dance Hall, Dining Hall, Camping, Fire Circles, Mendocino Woodlands Redwoods. Full Camp 8 Days or Half Camp 4 Days ::: more»
27/11/06: The San Francisco Pipers' Club will host the 2007 West Coast Tionól on February 16-18, 2007 (Presidents' Day weekend). Mickey Dunne will be the guest piper. Peter Heelan and Conall O'Raghallaigh will also be teaching some of the classes. John Pedersen and Ted Anderson will lead reedmaking/repair sessions and help with general pipe maintenance throughout the weekend ::: more»
02/11/06: Added photos of the first Tokyo Uilleann Pipers Club meeting ::: more»
01/11/06: Added a bit of a write up on the East Coast Tionól with lashings of photos from Neil Begley ::: more»
25/10/06: Congratulations to Robbie Hannan for being appointed as chairman of Na Píobairí Uilleann ::: more»
20/10/06: Pipemaker Bill Haneman has undertaken the task of making Capt. Francis O'Neill's "Irish Minstrels and Musicians" available online. If you haven't read this book it is an absolute must read for any piper ::: more»
17/10/06: Still ravelling my hank after two weekends in a row of tionól madness. The East Coast Tionól and The Southern California Tionól. Great fun was had at each. Thanks to everyone at either end of the continent for all their hard work in making these events happen. Particularly Susanne Ward, Larry Dunn and Gabriel & Eileen McKeagney ::: more»
19/09/06: New Pipers' Gathering CD Released! This CD contains 21 tracks of live performances from our 2005 concerts by Brian McNamara, Dick Hensold, Matt Seattle, Hamish Moore, Julian Goodacre, Ellen MacPhee, Anthony Santoro, and Emmett Gill ::: more»
13/09/06: Celtic Fest Chicago Uilleann Pipe Tionol Tent. Sept. 16th, 17th. with Tommy Martin, David Powers, Cillian Vallely, Tim Britton, Pat Cannady, Jeff Lindblade, Kevin Henry, Brendan McKinney, Sean Ryan and many more. All performances and the workshop are free and will take place on the Uilleann Pipe Stage, Columbus and Jackson, Grant Park, downtown Chicago. The Uilleann Pipe Workshop is for all levels, please bring your pipes or just come and listen. All are welcome. For more info: www.celticfestchicago.com ::: more»
11/09/06: Paddy Keenan is going on tour. The schedule is available on the Compass Records website ::: more»
08/09/06: Wonderful video clip of Seamus Ennis on YouTube playing "An Raibh Tú ar an gCarraig" ::: more»
06/09/06: New piper added to the Piper Bios page ::: more»
05/09/06: Tionól Update: We just received word that pipemaker Martin Preshaw will be joining us for the tionól this year along with Tommy Keane, Marion McCarthy, David Quinn, Michael Hubbert, Michael O'Donovan & Kevin Crehan ::: more»
05/09/06: Photos from our Canadian correspondant Patrick McSweeney of the 2006 Quebec Celtic Festival have been added to the diary section ::: more»
01/09/06: Photos of the 2006 Pipers' Weekend in Killington, Vt. have been added to the diary section ::: more»
30/08/06: Cultra Tionól is coming up. It takes place in the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Holywood. Co Down on Saturday 23 September beginning at 10.30am. Piping classes will cater for players of all abilities and the piping teachers will be Eliot Grasso and Mick O'Brien. The reed-making workshop will be conducted by Bill Haneman. The event will close with a short recital featuring Eliot and Mick beginning at 3:30pm. For further information conctact Robbie Hannan at Belfast 90 39 5065 or robbie.hannan@magni.org.uk ::: more»
24/08/06: 13th William Kennedy Piping Festival, Armagh. 15th-19th November, 2006. Their 40th anniversary! Concerts will feature Liam O'Flynn & The Pipers Call Band; Lúnasa, Flook, Buille, Jarlath Henderson, Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn, Michael McGoldrick with Ed Boyd & John Joe Kelly; Ensemble Shanbehzadeh from Iran: and the Anxo Lorenzo Band from Galicia and many more. Other highlights over the weekend include performances from Robbie Hannan & Dermot McLaughlin; Sean McKeon & Liam O'Connor; Brendan Ring & friends; Jimmy O'Brien-Moran. For full line-up, ticket information and everything else please visit: wkpf.org or email them at info@wkpf.org
04/08/06: TG4 is now streaming it's TV shows online! WOO HOO! Lot's of wonderful music to hear and see! Let's hope it continues! ::: more»
28/07/06: Nashville Tennessee piper Dr. Lewis Blevins has produced a book of writings and paintings from his own hand. "Tea In Connemara" is the title ::: more»
28/07/06: Morsel's added to the radio page of Finbar Furey and Ronan Browne on the Rattlebag programme ::: more»
20/07/06: Added a link to ClareFM to the Radio links page ::: more»
18/07/06: A fellow SCUPC member just aquired a photo of John S. Wayland. I've included it and tied some previous elements together ::: more»
13/07/06: The Late Session airs live from the opening weekend of Willie Week. On tonight's show, we feature more music, song and chat from Scoil Shamhraigh Willie Clancy in Miltown Malbay and salute the life of MÍcheál Ó Domhnaill. The featured pipers tonight include David Power & Pat Broderick ::: more»
13/07/06: The Bloom of Youth features as the second guest on tonight's programme Dublin Uilleann piper Mikey Smyth ::: more»
06/07/06: The Late Session airs live from the opening weekend of Willie Week. Featuring pipers Tommy Keane, Jimmy O'Brien-Moran & Liam O'Flynn ::: more»
22/06/06: Paddy Keenan played a concert at the Chateau Ramezay Museum in Montreal on Monday evening 19th June ::: more»
20/06/06: A brand new Koehler & Quinn set is nearing completion ::: more»
15/06/06: James Donal Faulkner would like all pipers with a sense of humour to know that his book "A Piper in Brazil" is now available online ::: more»
14/06/06: Moved my websites to a new hosting company over the past week. Sorry for any breakdown in service. Looks like we're back full stream now... more space and more features at my fingertips... I luv da! If you notice anything that seems not to be working please let me know - thanks!
08/06/06: Piper Emmett Gill sent me the news that a new CD of 78s, never previously re-released including Morrison, McKenna, Tom Ennis and more, is now available. Sample's, both graphical and MP3 are available on their website ::: more»
02/06/06: Jan Winter from Sweden sent me an article he wrote of an interview with pipemaker Eugene Lambe ::: more»
30/05/06: Céilí House had the University of Limerick Irish World Academy of Music & Dance on the show the other night ::: real audio »
30/05/06: John McSherry and Donal O'Connor of At First Light were this past weekends guests on The Late Session to promote their new CD Tripswitch ::: real audio »
23/05/06: If you are interested in uilleann piping and/or whistle tuition, accompanied by a wallop of some Irish craic, somewhere a little closer to home this summer, check out Pacific Institute of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts runs from 9-14 July in Parksville, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Instructor this year is Martin Nolan from Dublin more»
23/05/06: Ivan Goff and Sligo-style fiddler Tony DeMarco cruised into the Philadelphia Irish Center for a great concert last Friday night more»
22/05/06: Returned home safely last night from a wonderful weekend of music in St. Paul, Minnesota. The GNIPC Tionól was taking place with Jerry O'Sullivan, Joe Smith and myself doing a bit of teaching. Thank you so much to Tom Klein and all the Northern Irish pipers for such a great weekend of good music, good will and good fun!
22/05/06: Gay McKeon is back on the radio. This time on The Late Session to discuss the NPU Tionól to take place this coming weekend real audio »
18/05/06: Céilí House was down in Kerry this past weekend and featured a couple of great pipers. Dave Hegarty and Soirce Ní Muiré more»
17/05/06: Rob Forkner just received his Joe Kennedy B set and so has sent me millions of photos of them. I have posted a selection on the Diary 2006 page. Beautiful looking set, hopefully hear them first hand some day! ::: more»
11/05/06: More news from Jonathan Parker about David Page has been sent in. Contact has been made between Chicago and San Diego! [once there be sure to click on the link for the full article] ::: more»
08/05/06: Two interesting shows this week from RTÉ. The first on Céilí House featured a rake of pipers to publicise the 2006 NPU Tionól to be held in Dublin 26 - 28 May real audio. Then on the Late Session, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh was on talking about her new solo CD real audio
03/05/06: The 3rd Francis McPeake International Summer School July 2006. The 3rd Francis McPeake International Summer School promises an immersion in Traditional music with workshops, recitals, sessions, sessions afloat, intimate gigs, concerts and ceilithe etc. Tutors for 2006 include Ronan Browne, Donogh Hennessey, Joe & Anne Burke, Seamus Tansey, Jesse Smith, Dennis Liddy, Paul Phillips etc with gigs featuring Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill, Mary Bergin & Alec Finn and The Pauline Scanlon & Donogh Hennessey Band etc ::: more»
01/05/06: The Great Northern Irish Pipers Club of St.Paul, Minnesota had their tionól concert from last year aired on a local radio programme named KFAI. Featured performers are Patrick D'Arcy, Pat Cannady and Karen Cook, Tommy Martin, and David Power ::: more»
01/05/06: Friends of the Pipers' Gathering! The organizers want you to be aware that registration will begin in May for the 2006 Gathering. They are also pleased to announce this years instructors as well as the launch of the new website ::: more»
14/04/06: More David Page information has been added to the article from The Boys of San Diego ::: more»
10/04/06: Ronan Browne and Peadar O'Loughlin can be seen in video form playing live on the Irish Philadelphia website ::: more»
06/04/06: A big thank you to Jonathan Parker of San Diego for assembling information and articles about Dublin piper Dave Page. Dave moved to the U.S. in the 1950's ::: more»
05/04/06: At First Light have a new CD coming out soon. Check out sound samples and artwork on their site ::: AtFirstLight.net
22/03/06: Evertjan 't Hart sent me a couple of nice photos of the Bothy Band performing in Holland around 1979 ::: more»
20/03/06: Very nice video clip of Dan O'Dowd playing his Egan set ::: more»
13/03/06: Na Píobairí Uilleann have a new website! Check it out at www.pipers.ie
13/03/06: Nice video stream of Jerry O'Sullivan, Donal Clancy and Bernadette Fee in concert at Trinity Church in New York ::: more»
07/03/06: Today's update: added a piper to the Piper Bio section. ::: more»
06/03/06: Today's update: added photos to the 2006 Diary section. ::: more»
02/03/06: The funniest eh, stuff, I've heard in a long time! Deedle-aidle-eedle-aidle-eedle! :) ::: more»
21/02/06: Dragged myself up to The West Coast Tionól in Seattle this past weekend. Finally met Eliot Grasso face to face after many years of long distance correspondance, mighty player and a gent of man. Lot's of tunes flying about the place. Had some with Dennis Brookes on Friday night. It was unusually dry but the Holy Order held up. A very enjoyable weekend all around. Anyone with photos send them along and I'll pop them up on the site. ::: more»
21/02/06: Kíla piper Eoin Dillon is featured on this weeks edition of The Late Session ::: more»
10/02/06: Added new items to the SHOP pages for your pleasure. Some new items are highlighted in the rotating banner to the right. Browse around and buy something ::: more»
09/02/06: Updates are now availalbe of the David Williams Tribute Weekend which took place the last weekend in October, 2006. Video footage is available on Phil Hardy's KerryWhistles website ::: more»
03/02/06: Played a gig for U2 yesterday ::: more»
24/01/06: Another year, another diary page. Thanks to Rob Forkner for kicking the year off ::: more»
10/01/06: The West Coast Tionól will take place over President's Day weekend February 17, 18 & 19 in Seattle this year. Piping instructors will be Denis Brooks, David Power and Tom Creegan. Reedmaking will be David Daye ::: more»
09/01/06: The St. Louis Tionól will be held the weekend of March 31st to April 2nd 2006. Guests will be Ronan Browne and Peadar O'Loughlin ::: more»
09/01/06: The South East Tionól will be held the weekend of March 25-26, 2006. Guests will be David Power and Patrick Hutchinson ::: more»
09/01/06: The 2006 NWUP Tionól workshops will run from 9am-5pm on Saturday 25th February at Manchester Town Hall, followed by a concert in the evening at St. Catherine's Social Club, Didsbury, Manchester, UK. Guest piper will be Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn. Reed making workshops will be run by Alan Burton. More info on our website ::: more»
04/01/06: Tommy Martin ha a new CD out called "Shady Woods". You can get it via his website ::: more»
30/12/05: The eagerly anticipated Peter Laban and Kitty Hayes pipes and concertina duet CD "They'll Be Good Yet" is due out any day now. The CD will be available at their website www.theyllbegoodyet.com »
29/12/05: Interview with Tiarnán Ó Duinnchin on “The Music of Words” an RTÉ Radio 1 show ::: more»
13/12/05: Added two new radio programmes to the Radio Links page. The shows are both from RTÉ Radio 1. The first is Instrumentals and the second is Ceol Don Domhnaigh ::: more»
04/12/05: Lots of updates made recently to the 'Diary 2005' page. Go have a gander... ::: more»
21/11/05: Pipemaker Peter Hunter's workshop is open once again for orders ::: more»
17/11/05: The Pipers’ Gathering is auctioning a new set of Hamish Moore Scottish smallpipes in the key of D. The pipes are ebony with solid silver ferrules and boxwood mounts. The bellows are cherry with double skin leather. A portion of the sale price will go to the Pipers’ Gathering to help support the event, and qualifies as a tax-deductible charitable contribution ::: more»
15/11/05: Just returned from a lovely trip home to visit the family and have the daughter baptised (proud daddy). Getting over the jet-lag I found some time today to make some updates to the site. Added two piper bios, added photos to the diary section, added two new items to the classifieds, updated the concerts section (the Maeve's session is no more) and added a photo of my new popping valve to the Koehler & Quinn page. I think that covers it :)
21/10/05: Added an MP3 to Tommy Martin's Simack chanter classified advert ::: more»
19/10/05: Patrick Sky sent me a fabulous photo of himself and Tommy Reck ::: more»
10/12/05: The 2005 Southern California Tionól was a roaring success. Thanks to our esteemed guests Máire Ní Ghráda, Jimmy O'Brien-Moran and Benedict Koehler for their hard work and patience. Thanks to Larry Dunn for his organizational skills, Gabriel & Eileen McKeagney for hosting the event and all the rest of the lads that chipped in particularly Steve Farrell and Nicholas ::: more»
05/10/05: From NPU: Congratulations to Sean Mc Keon who has been chosen for the TG4 'Gradam Ceoil' as Young Musician of the Year, just a couple of years after his brother Conor received the same award. The presentation will be made at a concert in the Cork Opera House on the 12th of November, and the concert will be broadcast by TG4 shortly afterwards. The other award winners were: Jackie Daly - Musician of the year; Maighréad Ní Dhomnhaill - Singer of the year; Josephine Keegan - Composer of the year; Peadar O'Loughlin - Lifetime award ::: more»  video»
28/09/05: Missing Pipes Update: Good news! Leonard's pipes have been returned ::: more»
21/09/05: Missing Pipes: Leonard Barry's pipes are missing. Eamonn Curran boxwood chanter with Brendan Ring body. There was a wooden Grinter 'F' whistle also ::: more»
09/09/05: The Cork Pipers Club - Cumann na bPiobairi, Corcaigh have a new website ::: more»
07/09/05: Iain Cameron. If you see this please contact me, thanks ::: email»
31/08/05: David Power was interviewed on Rattlebag last Monday. Here is the interview ::: more»
26/08/05: Reminder: From David Dickerson: The CelticFest, Jackson, MS with guest piper Tim Britton takes place in two weeks - Sept. 10-11, 2005. Everybody needs to get their RSVP's in ASAP! ::: more»
23/08/05: I have set up a BLOG for anyone interested in attending the Southern California Tionól. The idea is that you can connect with people and arrange room sharing and car pooling etc ::: more»
18/08/05: Lots of great stuff on The Late Session lately ::: more»
10/08/05: A concert section is now active on the top right of the page. I'll try to keep it up to date with information about my upcoming performances ::: more»
28/07/05: I just joined Mick Coyne's website and spent some time browsing through the members area. It has really come together well. Tons of tunes and technique all available in exchange for signing up (which is free btw!) It's a fabulous resource to pipers and I'd heartily encourage taking the plunge ::: more»
28/07/05: Added some more techniques in sheet music form to the F.A.Q. page ::: more»
25/07/05: Updated photographs of pipemaker Mark Donohoe's pipes ::: more»
22/07/05: RTÉ's Céilí House host Kieran Hanrahan has a new radio show named THe Bloom of Youth. Here's what they say on the site - "The Bloom of Youth is a six-part series which will feature 12 players and singers who are all in their twenties and whom reflect the popularity of traditional music among younger people today." ::: more»
21/07/05: CelticFest in Jackson, MS, will host a tionól on September 10th and 11th, 2005. Tim Britton will be teaching, giving lessons on pipes maintenance and playing ::: more»
21/07/05: Northern piper Boyd Peters pointed out to me that there was a Late Session Live show that I had missed which featured Liam O'Flynn. It is now listed among my radio archives ::: more»
08/06/05: The Cúltra Tionól takes place here in the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Holywood, Co Down on Saturday 24 September, beginning at 10.30am. Piping teachers will Seán McKeon and Ciarán McPhelimey, reed-making workshop conducted by Andreas Rogge. The event will close with a recital featuring the teachers beginning at 3.30pm. Admission £10, under 18s £5. Pipers of all abilities welcome. To book a place telephone Maurenn Paige at the musuem at Belfast 90 395061.
31/05/05: We had a fantastic time with Mikie Smyth this past weekend. He's now on his way to New Zealand for a few weeks and will be returning to give another workshop and house concert on June 24-26, 2005. Mark your calendars! ::: more»
20/05/05: Looking forward to seeing some of you over the weekend at the Great Northern Irish Pipers Club Tionól - St. Paul, Minnesota ::: more»
17/05/05: Traditional Irish music cartoon strip based in South Africa! ::: more»
10/05/05: Updated content on the Diary 2005, Koehler & Quinn and Classifieds pages.
08/05/05: UPDATE! Thankfully Eoin has retrieved his pipes. You can visit his website at www.duigo.com ::: more»
29/04/05: STOLEN PIPES! Friday 29th of April 2005 03:35 pm - Reward offered for return of uileann pipes. A substantial reward has been offered for the safe return of a set of uileann pipes which went missing in Tralee this week. Leading piper Eoin Duignan is offering €500 for their return. Mr Duignan has had the pipes for 38 years and says they are of little value to anyone else. He says they are a unique set of pipes and therefore easily identifiable.
25/04/05: Added a new t-shirt style if you are in need of some new threads... pocket logo. Here's a sample graphic All t-shirt's are available in male/female and infant sizes and styles and also in a wise variety of colours ::: more»
25/04/05: Updated the Video Shop to include a pre-order for The Boys (& Girl) From The County Clare DVD ::: more»
25/04/05: Updated the Book Shop to include Pale Rainbow. A book of sean nós songs which includes possible translations ::: more»
15/04/05: Updated the Music Shop to include CD's by The Dubliners ::: more»
12/04/05: Emmett Gill sent me a scan of a nice old postcard. Have a look and let us know if you know anything about it ::: more»
12/04/05: The CD is selling very well. Thanks to everyone that has ordered one so far! ::: more»
11/04/05: A double CD set is now available of the 2004 SCUPC Tionól concert. Musicians featured are Mick O'Brien, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Benedict Koehler, Pat D'Arcy & Kynch O'Kaine. The set is listed at $20 plus shipping. All proceeds go directly to the Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club ::: more»
08/04/05: Since my last update I've had the chance to look at Mick Coyne's website. There is a load of nice information in there along with online lessons and a music shop. My favourite section so far is "What Pipers Think".... how did he know? :) ::: more»
06/04/05: Ennis/Liverpool piper Mick Coyne now has a website loaded with information including a very informative page dedicated to Andy Conroy ::: more»
01/04/05: Eric Rigler is going to be performing at the Laguna High School Theater this Sat at 7:30 with a Concert titled Scotland in Laguna. For info and tickets call Rich 949-283-5518
20/03/05: Added audio sample to the Classifieds section for Mike Gravina's Wooff set.... if I only had the moola!!!!! ::: more»
15/03/05: This weeks Late Session features piping from Kevin O'Farrell, Maití Jo Shéamais, Jimmy O'Brien-Moran and Mick O'Brien ::: more»
01/03/05: Added video clips from the San Francisco Tionól ::: more»
01/03/05: Added a donation feature at the bottom of the left menu. If you feel the urge to help support this site, thank you, every penny is greatly appreciated.
28/02/05: San Francisco Tionól photos added ::: more»
23/02/05: 2nd Annual Floating Tionól June 10th-14th 2005 ::: more»
23/02/05: Thanks to the San Francisco Pipers Club for organising such an enjoyable weekend. It was great to see everyone. Here's to the next one!
14/02/05: Added an article written by Patrick Hutchinson entitled “A Simple Non-Return Valve for Uilleann Pipe Chanters” to the Pipers Review page ::: more»
08/02/05: Added a selection of photos of my beautiful new bellows, which accompanies my new D set, to the Koehler & Quinn page ::: more»
02/02/05: Pipers Review readers in search of the Eamonn Dillon and Neillidh Mulligan transcription tunes follow this link ::: more»
01/02/05: Joe Shannon article by Paul Keating ::: more»
19/01/05: A sad show this week bidding farwell to two great Irish musicians. Flute legend P.J. Crotty and piping legend Joe Shannon ::: more»
10/01/05: RTÉ show Nationwide featuring Limerickman Mickey Dunne and his family ::: more»
06/01/05: Some nice audio on BBC NI featuring Mick & Caoimhín as well as Jarlath Henderson ::: more»
06/01/05: This page on the BBC NI website features video clips of Brian Vallely and the late Dave Williams. If anyone can assist me in obtaining a copy of this please contact me ::: more»
03/01/05: Happy New Year everyone. I look forward to meeting you all at the various tionóil and music schools this year ::: more»
20/12/04: Added the odd photo of a new set from the Koehler & Quinn workshop. A D set in the Tayloresque style ::: more»
10/12/04: I found another bundle of photos of this years tionól. They are now live on the SoCalPipers.com website ::: more»
09/12/04: Tommy Martin sent me some top stuff (once again). This time an old album cover featuring Tommy Reck and his pipes ::: more»
02/12/04: Sorry to impose this on the site but I am deeply disturbed by the arrogance behind this sort of thing. Sign this petition and help save Irelands Heart and Soul - The Hill of Tara Further Information: http://www.protect-tara.org/ - Sign The Petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/Temair/petition.html
01/12/04: Buy someone an UilleannObsession.com t-shirt for Christmas. Available in a variety of colours ::: more»
30/11/04: The most recent Late Session featured a concert of Liam O'Flynn playing solo on the pipes ::: more»
19/11/04: Surrey pipemaker Chris Bayley sent me an excerpt of interest from the 1947 L.T.C.Rolts' book "The Silver and the Green" ::: more»
17/11/04: Received a couple of photos from Hans-Joerg Podworny of the oldest and tallest boxwood trees in the world ::: more»
15/11/04: Gabriel McKeagney's pipes miraculously have made it home! Click here to read the LA Times article By Dave McKibben, Times Staff Writer ::: more»
12/11/04: Announcing some important and exciting changes in the Pipers' Gathering for 2005. The location and the timing of the event this year will both be moving. The reasons for these changes are detailed on their website ::: more»
02/11/04: More photos have been added of the 2004 Southern California Tionól to the www.SoCalPipers.com website ::: more»
01/11/04: The Late Session radio programme has started archiving their own shows [about time]. I will continue to archive piping related features on their show as I enjoy having them on hand. This digital tradition continues with this weeks show featuring Jimmy O'Brien-Moran at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy ::: more»
01/11/04: Whistle maker Phil Hardy posted some excellent clips of Paddy Keenan in concert to his Kerry Whistles website. While you are there browse around and check out the other clips and why not buy a whistle? ::: more»
26/10/04: The 2004 So Cal Tionol was an amazing success! Thanks to everyone for coming and making the weekend possible. A special thank you to Gabriel & Eileen McKeagney for opening their home to us all once again! Also to our guests Mick O'Brien, Caoimhín O Raghallaigh and Benedict Koehler for your hard work and senses of humour! Thanks also to David Quinn, Michael Hubbert & Michael Burke for gracing us and also to Cillian Vallely who made great effort to be with us on the Sunday of the tionól. Photos and further reviews will be posted soon. If you have some you'd like to share please send them along to pat@uilleannobsession.com ::: more»
21/10/04: NPR interview with Paddy Keenan from March 17, 2003. Paddy talks about his new pipes by Dave Williams and the process involved ::: more»
20/10/04: Very sad news. Pipemaker, Dave Williams was killed in a car crash yesterday. Details of the incident will be posted as I hear them. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal. Tributes and updates are available on the Chiff & Fipple message board. ::: more». Here is a link to the newspaper report ::: more» To send your condolences please contact: The Williams Family, Windmill Workshops, Waltham, Grimsby, South Humberside, DN37 OJZ, England. Tel: 01472-828865 Fax: 01472-828865

20/10/04: James Ennis's Bagpipes

Many years ago Séamus Ennis left his father James's bagpipes in trust with my father Tom Mulligan. The pipes had no bag attached to them and had two boxes of chanter and drone reeds.

Now over 25 years later, in conjuntion with Séamus' sister Ursula, we have restored them to full working order. This task of getting them back in playing order has been recently carried out ith great dedication and skill by piper Dave Rickard from Cabra, Dublin. I had the pleasure of hearing him playing them in my house two weeks ago. They would seem to be mellower than the sound of modern bagpipes and have a lovely balance between chanter and drones. Dave tells me that they appear to be an R.G. Lawrie set. There is also a Brian Boru chanter along with the stamped Lawrie Chanter. James Ennis, who died in January 1964 aged 75 years, played these pipes before he took up the uilleann pipes and played them before he got married in 1917. Séamus himself also played these bagpipes. James I'm told, was the leading piper with the Dublin Pipers Club in the early 20th Century and played them right up to about 1947. (I hope to get further information on James Ennis and his bagpiping days in the near future and if anyone can help in this respect I would be very grateful - contact: neillidh@eircom.net)

The Ennis family have decided to donate this set of bagpipes to the Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre and this will take place at the Piping Recital as part of the Scoil Shamhna Shéamuis Ennis in Naul, County Dublin, next Friday at 8.30 pm. We will get an opportunity to see and hear them on the night when Dave Rickard will play them.

Néillidh Mulligan
20th October 2004

28/09/04: Tommy Martin the "St. Louis" piper sent me another installment for the Diary section ::: more»
18/09/04: Congratulations to Jarlath Henderson for winning the BBC Radio2 "Young Folk Musician of the Year" award for 2004 ::: more1» ::: more2»
15/09/04: The RTÉ Radio 1 documentary on the life and music of Willie Clancy, produced by Peter Browne in 2002 entitled "Lashings of Music" that aired on Tuesday September 7th 2004 is now archived on the Radio page ::: more»
13/09/04: More great shots scavenged from the Chiff & Fipple Message Board are now up on the Diary 2004 page ::: more»
27/08/04: Added photos of a Willie Rowsome C set and a great old photo of Jem Byrne ::: Techie update: Thanks to David Moulton for sending me an automatically resizing pop up window script that I have implemented on the Diary 2004 page... it's a great help... no really.... it is! ::: more»
16/08/04: Just added a great old photo and some information on piper Philip Martin to the Diary 2004 page ::: more»
13/08/04: Received some photos of a Rowsomesque set just completed by Koehler & Quinn ::: more»
11/08/04: Added more photos to the Diary 2004 page ::: more»
09/08/04: This weeks Céilí House radio programme features archived material from Bobby Casey, Micho Russell, Junior Crehan, The McPeake Family and Paddy Canny. Great stuff! ::: more»
06/08/04: Following a recent discussion on the topic of mounts on the Chiff & Fipple message board many interesting and historic examples arose ::: more»
28/07/04: Added photos of a set made in the 18^th Century by a maker named Thomas Scott of London that is currently for sale on Ebay ::: more»
15/07/04: If you haven't already seen it you should visit the Dutch Pipers Club website. Mickie Smyth was the guest piper at the Belgian Tionól this year and they have some wonderful sound files and video for you to indulge in. A must see and hear! ::: more»
11/07/04: This weeks Late Session show is broadcast from the last day of Willie Week 2004. Featuring Robbie Hannan's afternoon recital ::: more»
10/07/04: This weeks Céilí House radio programme features an archived interview from 1971 with Willie Clancy conducted by Micheál Ó Domhnaill ::: more»

06/07/04: Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland: ULSTER FOLK AND TRANSPORT MUSEUM Cultra, Holywood, Co. Down, N. Ireland. Uilleann piping classes/recital Saturday 25 September 10.30am - 5.00pm Teachers: Mick O'Brien Maurice Bradley Reed-making: Geoff Wooff Uilleann Piping classes for players of all abilities will be held in the museum from 10.30am until 12.30pm and from 1.30pm until 2.45pm. Reed-making will be held in the same venue from 10.30am until 3.30pm. A recital featuring the tutors will be held in the museum beginning at 3.30pm. Admission to classes/reed-making and recital £10.00 (under 18s, concessions, £5.00). Admission to recital only £5.00. To book a place contact Robbie Hannan at Belfast 90395065.

04/07/04: The fourth, and final, in a series of uilleann piping performances from the Willie Clancy Summer School 2003 which are being featured throughout the month of June 2004. This week Ciarán Mac Feilimidh's evening piping recital is featured ::: more»
30/06/04: Joe McKenna was featured on Céilí House last Saturday night ::: more»
28/06/04: Brian McNamara and David Power are featured on the most recent Late Session radio programme ::: more»
28/06/04: For the CTMS Solstice Festival I wrote up technical playing guidelines for the students. I thought they'd be of use here also so they've been added to the F.A.Q. page ::: more»
28/06/04: Thanks to everyone for showing up to the CTMS Solstice Festival class on Saturday! There were nineteen people attending all together to learn more about the uilleann pipes. Only three of which had pipes and were SCUPC members. It was great to see all the new faces! Looking forward to seeing you at piping events in the future ::: more»
25/06/04: Brian McNamara's new CD "Fort of the Jewels" is now available via his website www.PiperBrian.com It is to be launched at Willie Clancy Summer School (Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare) on July 4th, 2004 at 4pm. The Leitrim Launch is on July 18th, 2004 at 8pm in Drumshanbo Community Centre, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim ::: more»
24/06/04: Added photos of the Willie Rousome set in Bb Brad Angus recently refurbished ::: more»
23/06/04: Late Session audio updates on the Radio Link's page featuring pipers' Ronan Browne and Emmett Gill at Willie Clancy Summer School ::: more»
14/06/04: Check out the Osaka Tionól 2004 photos ::: more»
09/06/04: Added a tunes page to the links section. There are links and downloads on this page. If you have a favourite website for finding good versions of tunes please send me the link and I'll include it ::: more»
08/06/04: Interview with Martin Hayes on RTÉ's The View ::: more»
02/06/04: Patrick Sky has made public his knowledge about reedmaking in a free Word document available for download on the F.A.Q. page ::: more»
01/06/04: Fiddler James Kelly has just finished a solo CD Melodic Journeys ::: more»
30/04/04: Received a follow up form David Power ::: more»
26/04/04: I was sent a photo by a friend of mine from her trip to Ireland last year. Pretty funny coincidence if you ask me :) Check it out ::: more»
26/04/04: Received an excellent photo from the clinically debateable Tom Klein with his bio for the Piper Bios page ::: more»
19/04/04: Patrick Sky is starting to make a budget practice set consisting of a straight ebony chanter with no keys, an imitation leather stitched bag and leather bellows. No Ivory, very plain. All that said, Pat says this chanter plays just as well as a fully keyed model. Going price is $600.00 and right now the wait is only 2 months. He can also build a budget set with two drones… the tenor and the baritone; no ivoreen or brass trimming; no removable drone stock (the drones tied directly into the bag) and no off/on switch, for $950.00. The drones alone would be $450.00. Delivery in 2-3 months. Chanter alone is $350.00. If you respond by Email please use his home address: plsky@intrex.net - Patrick Sky: (919) 929-2048
13/04/04: I received a few great emails over the weekend with photos attached that have now been added to the Diary 2004 page ::: more»
06/04/04: Na Píobairí Uilleann is proud to announce the release of the first in their projected series STÓR PÍOBAIREACHTA (Piping from the Archives). This will consist of recordings of Sean McAloon on uilleann pipes, fortuitously recorded in the early 1970s and now published for the first time ::: more»
24/03/04: Added another radio station to the Radio page.
23/03/04: Added a rotating banner to this homepage [above right] to good quality Irish music on Amazon. Click it to try it out! Check out my Music Shop for a comprehensive list of Irish music easily available online ::: more»
05/03/04: Didn't make it to the Planxty reunion gigs? Well stick on your favourite Planxty album and pay Christy Moores website a visit. He has a photo diary of one of the shows at Vicar Street. Browse through the rest of his site while you're there, lot's of other great stuff on there aswell ::: more»
04/03/04: The Doran Weekend in Glendalough was once again visited by Paul Eliasberg, his wife and their new baby ::: more»
25/02/04: Added audio of the launch of the "Leo Rowsome Collection of Irish Music" on Céilí House to the Radio Links page ::: more»
19/02/04: Received some photos of the West Coast Tionól 2004 from Mari Hoiland who was the photographer in residence last weekend. Nice to see Michael Eskin with his new regulators on his Kirk Lynch set ::: more»
16/02/04: Edmund Tunney asked me to forward this on: "Francis McPeake School of Music - 1st World Irish Music Championships and International Summer School" ::: more»
16/02/04: We had a visitor yesterday to our session in Santa Monica. A bouzouki player from Sweden by the name of Bert Deivert. Bert just finished a nice CD with piper Christy O'Leary. The CD is available through their website at www.deivert.com/oleary.html
11/02/04: I added a few new releases and items I missed to the Shop section... have a browse around ::: more»
02/02/04: Eliot Grasso's long awaited debut recording "Standing Room Only" is now available ::: more»
02/02/04: RTÉ's More Than Museums radio programme had a nice documentary on last Thursday night about Na Píobairí Uilleann. Featuring commentary by Terry Moylan and Neillidh Mulligan making a reed ::: more»
30/01/04: Finally set up all the diary pages so that each photo will open in its own window. You can grab the corner of these windows and resize them as the images, quite often, are bigger than they will appear... depending on how you have your browser set up.
29/01/04: The seventh Saint Louis TIONOL and Mississippi River Celtic Music Festival will be held April 2, 3, and 4th. All the details are available on the web site at www.tionol.org along with registration information. Guest teachers this year will be Tommy Martin and Michael Cooney. Kevin Henry will be coming down from Chicago to do reeds. Other teachers will include Tommy Peoples, Mary Bergin, John Carty, along with others to round out the weekend. If any questions, please e-mail Mike Mullins at mmullins@tionol.org ::: more»
28/01/04: Southern California Tionól reviews and photos have been moved from the Diary section to the Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club (SCUPC) website www.SoCalPipers.com
15/01/04: Jonathan Kanter sent news to the Uilleann Pipe Mailing List of an article about Geoff Wooff in the Irish Echo ::: more»
15/01/04: Tom Kennedy just notified me that the 2003 Al Purcell Tionól was a great success. Check out their site for a full report and photographs ::: more»
13/01/04: Céilí House this week featured Mick O'Brien & Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Michael O'Raghallaigh and others ::: more»
03/01/04: Peter Laban sent me a new photo for his page. ::: more»
03/01/04: THE FIRST ANNUAL FLOATING TIONOL, 19-22 JUNE 2004, For Uilleann pipes. The full Tionol experience with piping lessons, reed making workshops and maintenance sessions with a leading pipe maker, pub sessions at a different location each evening, aboard a traditional narrow boat on the upper reaches of the River Thames. Cruising from the heart of England's famous and majestic city of Oxford to the head of the river and back, through a timeless and idyllic rural landscape. You can also help crew the vessel if you can find the time! Price, including boat hire, full English breakfast, superb buffet lunch, all lessons and workshops as well as a reed making kit is £250 sterling. Places are limited so early booking is advised. Please contact me by 'phone on ENGLAND 01865 727942 between 9am and 10pm GMT.
Hope to see you there,
Sean Lally buskersean@yahoo.co.uk
29/12/03: Wishing you all a Happy New Year in Piping 2004!
15/12/03: Another piper biography has been added ::: more»
12/12/03: Terry Moylan sent me two excellent photos of Séamus Ennis at the Termonfechin Tionól to replace a bad copy of the same picture I already had ::: more»
10/12/03: Kevin Rietmann sent me yet another album cover from the Abbey Tavern days ::: more»
09/12/03: A student of mine Joey Abarta was hired as the piper in Josh Groban's latest video. The piper you hear is Eric Rigler, the piper you see is Joey Abarta and the pipes you see is my Lambe set with Preshaw chanter. This is a high bandwidth link ::: more»
08/12/03: A photo was sold on eBay around June, 1999 which I saved and placed on this site here. The photo was of a smart young man playing a nice looking set of pipes and was taken in Skibereen around the turn of the 19^th & 20^th centuries. This past weekend I received an email from the subjects Grandson asking for further information on the photo and its whereabouts. He also included more information on his Grandfather and four more photos ::: more»
08/12/03: Gay Mckeon will be teaching and performing in Birmingham, England on the 25^th of Jan 2004, starting at 12 lunch till late. It's also hoped that Alan Burton will be able to make it to teach reed making. The cost will be £5. Contact Marcus Coulter for further information.
02/12/03: Added another Piper Bio ::: more»
25/11/03: The 2^nd Annual Southern California Tionól was a great success and pleasure to attend ::: more»
21/11/03: The Salt Lake Piping Club now has it's own website, now linked on the Piping Links page ::: more»
20/11/03: Added a link to "The Millennium Stage" at the "JFK Center for the Performing Arts" ::: more»
20/11/03: To the Shop I added the book "Reed Design for Early Woodwinds". An interesting book with a self descriptive title ::: more»
19/11/03: "Following a period of rehearsal and a low-key concert in the West of Ireland the Original Planxty lineup have announced a series of Irish concerts for Jan and Feb 2004. The concerts already confirmed include 6 concerts in Dublin's 'Vicar Street' and 2 more in The Glór Center, Ennis Co. Clare." - Tara Music ::: more»
18/11/03: The Late Session continues the Liberty Hall concert series. Fabulous 'piping' here by Micheál O'Raghallaigh solo on concertina followed by Eileen O'Brien and Deirdre McSherry from Lough Derg ::: more»
17/11/03: A new piper has been added to the Piper Bios page. This time from España! ::: more»
13/11/03: Received another LP cover from Kevin Rietmann of an old Abbey Tavern record featuring Tommy Reck on the cover ::: more»
13/11/03: More photos have been added to the Koehler & Quinn Workshop page of thier latest set in B of pearwood, boxwood and brass ::: more»
13/11/03: Added two more pipers to the Piper Bios page ::: more»
11/11/03: Received photos from David Quinn of the latest set to come from the K&Q Workshop ::: more»
10/11/03: In the left hand menu area I've added a search box. You can use this for either searching this site or the web.
10/11/03: Added a few items to the shop. Namely the Rounder Collections "Traditional Irish Music In America" and "Light Through the Leaves". These collections feature tracks by pipers Al Purcell, Joe Shannon and Tim Britton ::: more»
07/11/03: Mick O'Brien & Caoimhín O Raghallaigh were featured on RTÉ's "The Late Session" last Sunday night from Liberty Hall ::: more»
07/11/03: Carel Lanters sent me a photo of a photo he printed up for an art exhibition in Holland ::: more»
30/10/03: I reworked the site slightly so that it would allign to the center of the page. It was bothering me that on bigger screens it was shoved over to the left.
21/10/03: Added more pipers to the Piper Bios section ::: more»
21/10/03: A Piper Bio section has been added under the EXTRAS section. Please submit your photo and bio here ::: more»
21/10/03: The Chris Langan Weekend 2004 have a great new website ::: more»
20/10/03: Added some new releases to the Shop section ::: more»
20/10/03: I just came across a nice feature on the Custy's Shop website. They now feature video of musicians with new releases playing live in the shop ::: more»
20/10/03: Peter Laban sent me another photo for his page ::: more»
20/10/03: Received another bio from a piper. This one living in Japan ::: more»
17/10/03: Peter Laban sent me a couple of new photos for his page ::: more»
07/10/03: On the 2003 page in the Diary section I have updated the photos to open in a presized window. This window is resizable and is set reasonable large so you won't need to resize too often. It would have taken months for me to set it to the size of each individual graphic - (if anyone knows how to do this on the fly please let me know). Also, no little hand pops up to show that these graphics are links so just click on them and you'll get the gist of what I'm talking about ::: more»
06/10/03: Thanks to everyone that has submitted portraits and bios. I'll be getting them up on the site as soon as I can.
03/10/03: Received a piper bio from Chicago piper Pat Cannady ::: more»
03/10/03: Welcome to the new and improved UilleannObsession.com There are bound to be lot's of broken links and other issues so please let me know if you encounter anything at webmaster@uilleannobsession.com - ENJOY! - Patrick.

30/01/03 - RTÉ's programme Nationwide have video clip about the Armagh Pipers Club on their website. The 28K version is the only one available, the 56K links to a clip of "Are you being served?"??!?! Take a look at Nationwide ::: here>

27/01/03 - Iris na bPíobairí, The Irish Pipers' Club transcription in The Pipers Review of Bonnie Ann as played by Robbie Hannan, accompanying audio samples here ::: more»

31/01/02 -  In case any of you are comically inclined and you are in the Los Angeles or New York areas.... my favourite comedian Billy Connolly will be performing limited shows. If you can at all go... do! Ticket Information

09/10/00 - Added groovy little   symbols to mark links with audio and video streams more»