Patrick J. Touhey Memorial Weekend

The Patrick J. Touhey Memorial Weekend will take place again next year, from April 17th – 19th 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts. This year’s featured guest performer will be John Tuohy, joined by an excellent lineup of performers, presenters, and early American Irish music historians from across the United States.

The Patrick J. Touhey Memorial Weekend is a gathering devoted to celebrating the life, music, and enduring legacy of one of the most influential figures in the history of the uilleann pipes. The weekend also serves to highlight the distinctive early American style of uilleann piping that emerged in the early twentieth century, a tradition closely associated with Touhey and with the generations of pipers shaped by his example. This year’s poster features original artwork by Jesse Smith and honours the great Chicago piper Joe Shannon. An Irish immigrant whose playing was deeply influenced by the piping of Patrick J. Touhey, Shannon stands as a compelling link to Touhey’s legacy in America. His presence on this year’s poster celebrates both the lasting influence of Touhey’s music and style and the contribution of one of America’s finest uilleann pipers.

This year’s weekend will bring together piping historians, pipe makers, and pipers from both the United States and Ireland for a weekend of music, learning, and shared tradition. Full details of this year’s line-up, along with registration information, may be found at patsytouheyweekend.com.