The Leo Rowsome Commemorative Event takes place annually in Henrietta Street on the final Saturday in February. The event celebrates the life and achievements of Leo Rowsome. Leo Rowsome was one of the most significant figures in uilleann piping in the twentieth century, as a piper, pipemaker, organiser and piping teacher. The events of the day reflect all aspects of Leo’s piping legacy and include piping tuition, pipemaking and reedmaking tuition, a lecture and piping performance, followed by a social gathering with informal music.

This year’s event will be held on Saturday 25th February 2023. The event will include classes in uilleann piping with Jane Walls and the advanced piping class with Seán McKeon will have a focus on regulator playing. There will also be a class in reedmaking with pipemaker Joe Byrne. The evening’s activities will include a lecture by Peter Browne, “Pádraig O’Keeffe: The Last of the Fiddle-Masters”. The formal events of the day will finish with a recital featuring Tommy Martin, Lottie Cullen and the Wexford Pipers Quartet.

Programme of Events:

10:30 – 3:00 pm: Classes

Piping Class – Jane Walls
Regulator Workshop – Seán McKeon
Reedmaking Class – Joe Byrne

Classes €35 for members (€50 for non-members). To register for classes, please contact the office at +353-1-8730093 or email info@pipers.ie. 

7:00 pm: Reception

8:00 pm: Talk

Peter Browne – “Pádraig O’Keeffe: The Last of the Fiddle-Masters”

9:00 pm: Recital

Tommy Martin
Lottie Cullen
The Wexford Pipers Quartet

Fergus Whelan is a historian and the author of Dissent into Treason: Unitarians King-killers and the Society of United Irishmen (2010) and God-Provoking Democrat: The Remarkable Life of Archibald Hamilton Rowan (2015). He has contributed to History Ireland magazine, An Irishman’s Diary in The Irish Times, the Irish Humanist, and Look Left magazine. He also works as a tour guide with Dublin City Council Culture Company.

This talk is a collaboration between 14 Henrietta Street and Na Píobairí Uilleann. Free Admission. Tickets can be booked here: https://14henriettastreet.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873638659

The Leo Rowsome Commemorative Event takes place annually in Henrietta Street [on the final Saturday in February]. The event celebrates the life and achievements of Leo Rowsome. Leo Rowsome was one of the most significant figures in uilleann piping in the twentieth century, as a piper, pipemaker, organiser and piping teacher. The events of the day reflect all aspects of Leo’s piping legacy and include piping tuition, pipemaking and reedmaking tuition, a lecture and piping performance, followed by a social gathering with informal music.

This year’s event will be held on Saturday 20th November 2021. The event will include classes in uilleann piping with Muireann Ní Shé and the advanced piping class with Michael ‘Blackie’ O’Connell will have a focus on regulator playing. There will be classes in reedmaking with Patrick O’Hare and a pipes maintenance workshop with Donnacha Dwyer. The evening’s activities will include a lecture by Harry Bradshaw, “Bill Stapleton and the Irish Recording Company”. The evening will also see the launch of Taisce Luachmhar (Valuable Treasure) – The Piping Album, a CD featuring recordings by Leo Rowsome (solo) and the Rowsome Quartet.

The formal events of the day will finish with a piping recital featuring three solo performers, Sinéad Ní Allmhuráin, Ciarán Browne and Pádraic Keane who all have family piping connections to Leo Rowsome.

*In line with Government restrictions, all events will be limited capacity and all attendees will be required to provide a Covid 19 Cert (being fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 within the previous 6 months) and a valid photo ID.

Programme of Events:

10:30 – 3:00 pm: Classes

Members €30 – Non Members €45

Piping Class – Muireann Ní Shé
Regulator Class – Michael ‘Blackie’ O’Connell
Reedmaking Class – Patrick O’Hare
Pipes Maintenance Class – Donnacha Dwyer

7:30 pm: Reception

*As there is limited capacity, we are operating a reservation list for all evening events. Please contact the office to reserve a place at info@pipers.ie or call +353-1-87-30093.

8:00 pm: Talk

Harry Bradshaw – “Bill Stapleton & the Irish Recording Company”

9:00 pm: Launch

Taisce Luachmhar – The Piping Album

9:30 pm: Recital

Sinéad Ní Allmhuráin
Ciarán Browne
Pádraic Keane