Na Píobairí Uilleann
Na Píobairí Uilleann (Irish pronunciation: [n̪ˠa pʲiʊ̟bˠaɾʲi ɪlʲən̪ˠ ], meaning "The Uilleann Pipers") is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the Irish Uilleann pipes and its music.[1]
Pipers Club | |
| Abbreviation | NPU |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Dublin Pipers Club |
| Formation | 1968 |
| Founder | Breandán Breathnach and other pipers |
| Type | Irish Music |
| Purpose | Promotion of the Uilleann pipes and Irish music |
| Headquarters | Henrietta Street |
| Coordinates | 53°21′09″N 6°16′12″W |
Official language | Irish, English |
Chairman | Tommy Keane |
Secretary | Noel Pocock |
| Donnacha Dwyer, Sheila Friel, Dave Hegarty, Ken Lynam, Padraic Mac Mathúna, Kieran O’Hare, Sorcha Potts, Kevin Rowsome | |
Staff | Gay Mc Keon (CEO) |
| Website | pipers |
Organisation
NPU was founded in 1968 in Dublin, Ireland under the impetus of researcher and collector Breandán Breathnach and pipers such as Seamus Ennis, Leo Rowsome and Paddy Moloney (of the Chieftains), many of whom had played with the Dublin Pipers Club.[2] A Tionól (meeting) of pipers in Bettystown Co Meath in April 1968 had been organised by Breathnach and by Séamus Mac Mathúna who wrote to some 100 pipers in Ireland and abroad for a gathering to revive piping. [3] Its headquarters are located in Henrietta Street, Dublin, in a restored Georgian building with facilities for many activities. Membership of the organisation is now spread throughout Ireland, England, Scotland, Continental Europe, North America and Australia.[4] Among the notable musicians associated with NPU are:
- Sean McAloon, piper and pipe-maker from County Fermanagh
- Finbarr Dwyer, accordion player from Castletownbere, County Cork
- Mick O'Brien, piper from Dublin
- Liam O'Flynn, one of the best-known pipers
- Paddy Keenan, one of the top pipers
- Sean Potts, served first as Honorary Secretary, and then, for fourteen years from 1988, as Chairman. Now Honorary President
- Pat Mitchell, Dublin piper, teacher and collector of tunes.[5]
Activities
The goals and activities of the organization are numerous. Regular classes on piping technique, pipe making, and reed making are taught to students of all ages and abilities. NPU is also making a major effort to re-master and re-release recordings of deceased masters of the instrument as well as record living masters. The club offers a wide range of tutorial materials including DVDs, CDs, and books.[6]
Recordings (selection)
- Sean McAloon, Stor Píobaireachta (Piping from the Archives), Na Píobairí Uilleann, 2004
- Robbie Hannan, Finbarr Dwyer. The Tempest. Na Píobairí Uilleann, 2008. Vol. 3 of the series Ace and Deuce of Piping.[7]
- Paddy Keenan, Mick Coyne, Nollaig Mac Carthaigh: Piper’s Choice Volume 3 Understand the art of uilleann piping[8]
Books (selection)
- Reedmaking Made Easy, Dave Hegarty, Na Píobairí Uilleann, Dublin, 1983
See also
References
- Breandán Breathnach: Folk Music and Dances of Ireland, Mercier Press, Cork. 1983. ISBN 0-85342-509-4. p. 78
- Boylan, Henry (1998). A Dictionary of Irish Biography, 3rd Edition. Dublin: Gill and MacMillan. p. 383. ISBN 0-7171-2945-4.
- https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsfilmtv/new-film-is-piping-up-for-the-revival-of-the-uileann-pipes-307815.html
- Article by Breandán Breathnach, 1980, reproduced at
- Patrons Archived 2007-11-19 at the Wayback Machine
- Na Piobairi Uilleann Homepage
- OCLC record number 276956142 viewed on 26 June 2010
- NPU
- Vallely, Fintan (1999), The Companion to Irish Traditional Music, New York University Press. ISBN 0-8147-8802-5.
- Ó Canainn, Tomás, Traditional Music in Ireland, Routledge & Keegan Paul, 1978, ISBN 0-7100-0021-9.