Aims of Na Píobairí Uilleann
By the 1960s very few people in Ireland were playing the pipes and far fewer, perhaps only five, were engaged in the making of the instrument. It was a matter of grave concern that the art would decline further and so The Society of Uilleann Pipers known as Na Píobairí Uilleann (The Uilleann Pipers) was founded in 1968 at grassroots level by pipers themselves.
The aims of the society are to perpetuate the spirit of the music, in particular the playing of the pipes and the production and maintenance of the instrument itself.
To achieve these aims the single most important facet of the Society’s activities is the teaching of the uilleann pipes, especially to young people, as it is through this that the playing of the instrument will increase, prosper and develop.
The degree to which the work of the Society has borne fruit is reflected in the number of pipemakers, many professional, now producing pipes – about forty throughout the world.
The Founding Constitution of Na Píobairí Uilleann
Constitution of Na Píobairí Uilleann
Bunreacht Na Píobairí Uilleann
Na Píobairí Uilleann is the name of this association.
The main object of Na Píobairí Uilleann shall be the promotion generally of Irish music and the music of the uilleann pipes in particular.
Towards that end the association may:
- Collect and preserve music for these pipes in any manner considered feasible by the Council;
- Assemble materials and carry out research on the history of the pipes and pipers;
- Issue from time to time a publication about piping and the affairs of the association;
- Spread a knowledge of reedmaking and promote the making of pipes.
Full membership of Na Píobairí Uilleann is restricted to Uilleann Pipers. Associate membership is open to any person not a piper, provided a simple majority of the Council is in favour of his/her admission.
A Council consisting of the following officers – Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer – and four other members shall be responsible for conducting the affairs of the association.
An annual convention of the association shall be held at a venue to be decided by a majority of the members. The officers and other members of the Council shall be elected at this convention.
Only full members over eighteen years of age have a right to vote.
Only such members shall be eligible to serve on the Council.
The Secretary shall present to the convention in writing a report on the proceedings of the association during the year then concluding.
The Treasurer shall place before the convention a financial statement setting out in detail the items of expenditure and receipts of the year together with an account of the financial position of the association.
Full members over eighteen years shall pay an annual subscription of £20. Other members shall pay an annual subscription of £10. Associate members shall pay an annual subscription of £20.
Na Píobairí Uilleann an t-ainm atá ar an gcumann seo.
‘Sé is príomhchuspóir do Na Píobairí Uilleann ceol dúchasach na hÉireann i gcoitinne agus ceol na píbe uilleann go sonrach a chur ‘un chinn agus a chothú.
‘Un na críche sin tig leis an gcumann:
- Ceol na píbe seo a bhailiú agus a chaomhúint ar slí ar bith is cuí leis an gComhairle;
- Abhar i dtaobh stair na píbe agus na bpíobairí a bhailiú agus taighde a dhéanamh air;
- Foilseacháin i dtaobh na píobaireachta agus imeachtaí an chumainn a fhoilsiú ó uair go céile;
- Eolas ar dhéanamh rídeanna a chur ar fáil agus déantas na píbe a chur ‘un tosaigh.
Píobairí uilleann amháin atá i dteideal a bheith ina lánbhaill den chumann. Is féidir le duine nach píobaire é bheith ina bhall caidrimh ar choinníoll go n-aontaíonn tromlucht na Comhairle lena leigint isteach sa gcumann.
Comhairle arb iad na hoifigigh seo – Cathaoirleach, Rúnaí agus Cisteoir – agus ceathrar ball eile a líon a bhéas freagrathach as stiúrú agus riaradh Na Píobairí Uilleann.
Beidh tionól bliantúil ann ar láthair a cheapfas tromlucht na mball. Ag an tionól seo freisin sea ceapfar na hoifigí agus baill eile na Comhairle don bhliain atá romhainn amach.
Ag lánbhaill amháin atá ós cionn 18 mbliana d’aois atá cead bhóta a chaitheamh.
‘Siad sin amháin a bhéas i dteideal fónamh ar an gComhairle.
Cuirfidh an Rúnaí tuarascáil i scríbhinn ar imeachtaí na bliana atá caite i bhfianaise an tionóil.
Cuirfidh an Cisteoir i bhfianaise an tionóil ráiteas airgeadais a bhfuil mioneolas i dtaobh fáiltais agus caitheachais na bliana agus cúntas ar staid airgeadais an chumainn ann.
Iochfaidh lánbhaill atá ós cionn 18 mbliana d’aois £20 mar tháille bhliantúil. Iochfaidh na lánbhaill eile £10 in aghaidh na bliana. £20 an táille bliantúil a bhéas le n-íoch ag na baill caidrimh.