An Píobaire

Back issues

Editorial

  This year’s tionól held in Borris, County Carlow was a great success with music and activities equal to the best in the history of Na Piobairi Uilleann. The quality of music and the standards of playing attained, especially by younger players, demonstrates the great work being done for piping, and also the painstaking work of pipe-makers in producing instruments of high quality. Borris proved to be a fine setting and the accommodation arrangements, the hospitality of the hotel staff and management enhanced the enjoyment of the proceedings. Congratulations also to those members who organise and run their own local tionóil, two of which are reported in this issue of An Píobaire.

I recall many years ago being told by Breandán Breathnach that a surviving recording from the Feis Ceoil, of Martin Reilly’s playing of “O’Conor Don’s Reel” was inaudible. Now thanks to Pat Mitchell’s tireless efforts, and some advances in technology, we were able to hear a comprehensive analysis of this bit of Reilly’s piping based on the piecing together of the cleaned-up audio track. Pat’s lecture at the tionól was a very valuable contribution to the detailed study of piping styles in general and reel playing in particular.

A further Piper’s Choice DVD now launched features Mick Coyne, Nollaig MacCárthaigh and Paddy Keenan. This gives an opportunity to gain very valuable insights into the playing motivations, piping techniques and musical influences on these pipers whose music we enjoy so much. Very interesting archive materials continue to become available to NPU, and generous donations from families of deceased members and other friends are adding to the store of materials available, expanding the range of resources available to members. We can also see how the availability of old music is further extending the repertoire of pipers. Music from O’Farrell, Bunting, Joyce and the older collections are finding their way into the repertoire of more pipers.

Another important goal recently achieved was the securing of grant approval to develop and resource the equipment for the pipe-making trraining course. Through fund-raising we plan to resource the course itself. This edition of An Píobaire give details of the course, and interested participants are encouraged to fill in the online form to register an interest. We are grateful to the the Arts Council, the Dept. of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and the Heritage Council for the support they provided for this project.

The commencement of the Notes & Narratives lecture series on music, song and dance will also add to the scope of interesting resources which will be put up on the new format website.

Robbie Hannon has stepped down as Chairman after several years of diligent and faithful service. Other members have come forward to participate on the board. To these and all who participate in other ways I offer our grateful thanks.

Dave Hegarty, Chairman