Na Píobairí Uilleann

Chairman, NPU

An Píobaire

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7 3 23 20110711 23 [was] recently published in Portland…We would… advise all who have a desire to hear the Scotch and Irish pipes well played, to call and hear him.’ (New York, 1833) 70 [The Wandering Piper’s name was Mr. Stu- art; in late 1835 he was performing in Long Island, New York, ‘on the Irish and Scotch bagpipes’ (Hempstead Inquirer, Long Is- land, 25 November 1835)] 71 • ‘Mr. [Wattie] Ferguson will appear clad in true Scottish uniform, and play upon the Scotch and Irish bagpipes.’ (Theatrical Sal- oon, Macon, Georgia, 1845) 72 [In 1846 Wat- tie Ferguson was playing on ‘the war pipes of Scotland and the union pipes of Ireland’ in the Odeon Hall in Washington DC.] 73 The Irish and the Scots seem to have had a vir- tual monopoly of the union pipes: only one (anonymous) American is advertised as play- ing the instrument, and the fact was worthy of comment: • ‘The visitors will be amused for a few evenings by the union pipes, (by an Amer- ican.).’ (Baltimore Museum, Maryland, 1832) 74 The nationality of the final advertised per- former of the period is uncertain (he may be American although his name suggests Scottish or northern Irish connections), and he makes a surprising claim: • ‘New Orleans Serenaders Operatic Troupe… Mr. Boyce will introduce a new musical instrument of his own invention, the union pipes, and perform several solos, ac- companied by Mr. Bucklee on the violin. We take great pleasure in announcing that these pipes are an American invention, and will, for the first time, by particular request, be brought before the public. We trust that all who love and appreciate native talent will be present on this occasion.’ (Masonic Hall, Chestnut St, Philadelphia, 1850) 75 Union pipes or Irish pipes are rarely advertised for sale: only the following have been found (the third one suggests the name of another Irish performer): • ‘Musical Instruments… Kilts, &c. (1 pair Irish union pipes)…’ (Elna Hayt’s shop, 10 Marlboro’ St, Boston, 1815) 76 • ‘Auction Sales. Furniture… Additional… 1 Irish union pipe, with three drones…’ (Auction Rooms, 2 Lorman Row, Balti- more, 1821) 77 • ‘Sherriff’s Sale… 1 chest, 1 silver watch, 1 lot of books, 1 sett of Irish bag-pipes, levied on as the property of Collins to satisfy 2 fines [?] in favor of the State for Texas, the State vs. Collins and Kearn.’ (Market House, Augusta, Georgia, 1827) 78 • ‘Musical Instruments… Two new first quality union pipes…’ (John Cole’s shop, 137 Baltimore St, Baltimore, Maryland, 1829). 79 Only one union-pipes maker has been found; he is Scottish, and intriguingly he also makes ‘flat’ pipes: • ‘J. Scorgie, from Scotland, hardwood and ivory turner… continues to do all kinds of turning work… He also makes the Scotch military, flat and Irish union pipes in the neatest and most perfect manner.’ (J. Scorgie’s shop, 110 Washington St, New York, 1817) 80 After 1850, newspaper references to Irish pipers in the database searched are signif- icantly not found for some ten years. As this period coincides with mass Irish Famine im- migration and hostile nativist American reac- tion to it, it is likely that American audiences would no longer have supported recitals by Irish pipers in the same numbers as they did previously. Mid-century Irish immigration caused multiple difficulties for those Irish al-

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