Na Píobairí Uilleann (; meaning "The Uilleann Pipers") is a

non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

dedicated to the promotion of the

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

Uilleann pipes The uilleann pipes ( or , ) are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland. Earlier known in English as "union pipes", their current name is a partial translation of the Irish language terms (literally, "pipes of the elbow"), from thei ...

and its music.

Organisation

NPU was founded in 1968 under the impetus of researcher and collector Breandán Breathnach and pipers such as Seamus Ennis, Leo Rowsome and Paddy Moloney (of

the Chieftains The Chieftains are a traditional Irish folk band formed in Dublin in 1962, by Paddy Moloney, Seán Potts and Michael Tubridy. Their sound, which is almost entirely instrumental and largely built around uilleann pipes, has become synonymous wi ...

), in order to promote the uilleann pipes and its music. A Tionól (meeting) of pipers in Bettystown Co Meath in April 1968 had been organised by Breathnach, Seán Reid and Séamus Mac Mathúna, who wrote to some 100 pipers in Ireland and abroad for a gathering to revive piping. Its headquarters are located at 15 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. Among the notable musicians associated with NPU are: * Sean McAloon, piper and pipe-maker from

County Fermanagh County Fermanagh ( ; ) is one of the thirty-two counties of Ireland, one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of the six counties of Northern Ireland. The county covers an area of 1,691 km2 (653 sq mi) and has a population of 61,805 ...

* Séamus Ennis, piper * Leo Rowsome, piper and pipe-maker * Mick O'Brien, piper from Dublin *

Liam O'Flynn Liam Óg O'Flynn ( ga, Liam Ó Floinn, 15 September 1945 – 14 March 2018) was an Irish uilleann piper and Irish traditional musician. In addition to a solo career and as a member of Planxty, O'Flynn recorded with: Christy Moore, Dónal Lun ...

, one of the best-known pipers * Paddy Keenan, one of the top pipers * Sean Potts, served as Chairman from 1988 to 2002 and then as Honorary President to 2014. *Pat Mitchell, Dublin piper, teacher and collector of tunes.

Activities

The goals and activities of the organization are numerous. Regular classes on piping technique,

pipe Pipe(s), PIPE(S) or piping may refer to: Objects * Pipe (fluid conveyance), a hollow cylinder following certain dimension rules ** Piping, the use of pipes in industry * Smoking pipe ** Tobacco pipe * Half-pipe and quarter pipe, semi-circular ...

making, and

reed Reed or Reeds may refer to: Science, technology, biology, and medicine * Reed bird (disambiguation) * Reed pen, writing implement in use since ancient times * Reed (plant), one of several tall, grass-like wetland plants of the order Poales * ...

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 organization offers a wide range of tutorial materials including DVDs, CDs, and books.

Recordings (selection)

* Johnny Doran ''Master Pipers - Volume 1'', Na Píobairí Uilleann, 1988 * Patsy Touhey ''The Piping of Patsy Touhey'', Na Píobairí Uilleann, 2005 * Robbie Hannan, ''The Tempest.'' Na Píobairí Uilleann, 2008. Vol. 3 of the series ''Ace and Deuce of Piping.'' *Paddy Keenan, Mick Coyne, Nollaig Mac Carthaigh: ''Piper’s Choice Volume 3'', 2010 NPU
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Books (selection)

* ''Reedmaking Made Easy'', Dave Hegarty, Na Píobairí Uilleann, Dublin, 1983 * ''Music for the Irish Pipes'', Joe Doyle, Na Píobairí Uilleann, Dublin, 2016

References

*Vallely, Fintan (1999), ''The Companion to Irish Traditional Music'', New York University Press. . *Ó Canainn, Tomás, ''Traditional Music in Ireland'', Routledge & Keegan Paul, 1978, .

External links