'Try the Uilleann Pipes' event in Ballyshannon and Dunkineely

Have you ever fancied trying to play the Uilleann pipes?

Now you can as Na Píobairí Uilleann in collaboration with the teachers of traditional Irish Music in South Donegal will be holding a 'Try the Uilleann Pipes' event on Saturday next, April 22 in both McIntyre's Mall Pub, Ballyshannon (10am) and at the Community Centre in Dunkineely (2pm). 

Uilleann pipes are the Irish form of bagpipes. It emerged in the first half of the 18th century in Ireland and Britain and was developed to its modern form in Ireland over the following 50 to 60 years.

It is the most highly developed of all bagpipes, having a chanter capable of sounding two full octaves, as well as other features not found on other bagpipes.

This Saturday's event gives an opportunity for anyone interested or curious about the uilleann pipes to come along and try them out for free with an experienced teacher and uilleann piper.

This is a free trial and all ages are welcome. Tuition will be provided on the day by renowned Cork uilleann piper Muireann Ní Shé. She will release an important CD this week, the first-ever to feature female uilleann pipers including the very talented Maeve O'Donnell from Churchill.

There will also be a Piper’s Chair where local pipers and musicians will be encouraged to share a tune or two. 

A major bonus at both events will be an appearance by renowned Chicago-based piper, Jim McGuire. The pipes he will play are one of the most famous in the world. They were owned by a Tullamore-born piper called Barney Delaney who went to Chicago in the 1800s.

For more information or a reservation, contact [email protected] or ring (086) 818 6353.

About Na Píobairí Uilleann

Na Píobairí Uilleann (NPU), the Society of Uilleann Pipers was founded in 1968 when there were less than 100 uilleann pipers remaining. Today NPU is a thriving arts organisation dedicated to Sharing the Sound of Ireland through access, education, performance and preservation. 

Since unveiling its restored Georgian premises at 15 Henrietta Street, Dublin, in January 2007, NPU has been busy catering for the expanding demand for regular tuition, as well as releasing many significant publications and recordings.

With demand for pipes considerably exceeding supply, a dedicated Training Centre – PipeCraft – was established in 2011 to deliver training in the very highly skilled craft of uilleann pipemaking. 

If you want to find out more you can contact them at Na Píobairí Uilleann, 15 Henrietta St., Dublin 1, Ireland or (01) 873 0093, by e-mail: [email protected] or go to their web page: www.pipers.ie

You can also find them on Facebook or Twitter: www.facebook.com/napiobairiuilleann/www.twitter.com/napiobairi

NPU is accredited by UNESCO as a competent Non-governmental Organisation in the field of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). NPU lobbied the Irish Government to ratify the UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage which resulted in the inclusion of Uilleann Piping on the UNESCO representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2017. 

In 2022, NPU achieved the Diversity Silver Award from the Irish Centre for Diversity. Na Píobairí Uilleann’s primary funding agencies include The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Dublin City Council.