Illin' uilleann

by Cyn Collins, TC Daily Planet • 10/3/08 • Direct from Ireland, masters of the uilleann pipes are bringing us Piperlink, a multifaceted experience all about uilleann (pronounced “illan”) pipes.

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Uilleann pipes have become the iconic instrument of Ireland. With their unique tone and rich complexity, the pipes have had a profound influence on Ireland’s musical heritage, as revered and central to popular Irish music today as is the fiddle and accordion. Quite different from the Scottish bagpipes people may be more familiar with, uilleann pipes are far quieter, subtle and complex.

Presented by Na Píobairí Uilleann, the Dublin association of uilleann pipers, Piperlink features performances by master pipers from Ireland. After an audiovisual introduction and demonstration showing how the pipes work, piping expert Sean Donnelly will entertain attendees with a discussion of the history and lore of the instrument: the pipes’ development and evolution, different styles of piping, the great players and the famous piping tunes. Attendees will have a chance to play on a practice set of pipes, and participate in a question/answer session afterward.

Piping performances will be led by Ireland’s leading pipers, Gay McKeon and Tommy Keane. One of Ireland’s best known traditional singers, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, who will also perform some of the songs associated with the pipes. There will be local pipers as well, including players from Piperlink cohosts the Great Northern Irish Pipers’ Club, a Minneapolis club of uilleann pipers.

Singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh (pronounced “Mwiran Nic Owleev”) was born in 1978. She lived on the islands of Inisheer and Cape Clear for nine years, after which her family settled in County Kerry. Growing up, she was immersed in the dance music, slow airs and songs of West Kerry, from a young age sitting in with her fiddle-playing father. She began to play the flute and tinwhistle and to learn sean-nós songs from such local singers as Áine Ní Laoithe, Eilín NíChearna, and the Begley family. She toured and sang with many groups until 2003 when she joined Danú. In 2005, liveireland.com honored her as Ireland’s best singer. She often performs on television and radio programs, and she’s featured on the BBC’s recent program Highland Sessions.

Gay McKeon, born in Dublin in 1957, learned uilleann pipes under the tutelage of renowned piper and pipemaker Leo Rowsome. He’s toured and recorded extensively since the 1960s—including with artists including Christy Moore, Maddy Prior, and June Tabor—and as a solo artist since the 70s.

Tommy Keane learned uilleann pipes when he was young, growing up in Waterford City. While living in London, Tommy Keane played with legends of Irish music including Tommy McCarthy, Bobby Casey, and Roger Sherlock. He’s lived in Galway since 1991. He’s recorded with Elvis Costello and the Pogues.

Don’t miss this unprecedented opportunity to delve into the lore and haunting, lilting charm of the uilleann pipes.

Great Northern Irish Pipers Club, Na Píobairí Uilleann, the Cedar Cultural Center present Piperlink

Photo of piper Michael Eskin by Gar Travis.