Midland pipers host open event at Annebrook Hotel

International Uilleann Piping Day, Saturday November 6, will be marked in Mullingar with an event organised by the Midland Uilleann Pipers in the Annebrook House Hotel (2-5pm).

It is one of a host of events being held around the world to celebrate this unique national instrument.

Anyone interested in hearing or learning the uilleann pipes, or who has an interest in traditional music, is welcome to the event, which is free of charge and will be held in the ballroom upstairs at the Annebrook.

International Uilleann Piping Day is promoted by Na Piobairi Uilleann, the Irish national uilleann piping centre. It was after the first International Uilleann Piping Day in 2014 that the midland uilleann pipers was formed.

The local group now has pipers of all levels, from complete beginners to multiple All-Ireland champions in their fold. They meet monthly to play together with the aim of maintaining and hopefully, expanding, the piping tradition in the region. However, this is their first get-together since lockdown began in March 2020 and they are all itching to get going again.

Saturday’s event aims to showcase the uilleann pipes, an instrument that has a rich history in the midlands. Many top pipers and pipe-makers are from this region. Indeed, the initial development of the instrument that is played today can be attributed to famous pipe makers from this area.

The uilleann piping tradition waned in the early part of the last century, but it is now fast becoming a popular instrument again. Many new pipe-makers have emerged and, with sets of pipes becoming more available, there is an upsurge in the number of musicians that have access to an instrument.

All musicians are welcome to attend the Annebrook event and play a few tunes or join the pipers for some traditional tunes. If anyone is thinking of learning the pipes they are invited to come along and learn about piping and the piping tradition and there will be plenty of advice on how to get started.