Hello,
I just spent some time in Ireland and a week in Dingle. Anyway several flute players were playing flutes made by someone working with Cillian O Briain, I want to say the name was like Mauris. The flutes were very good and a good value at around 400 or 500 euro. I also heard from someone that this maker was off to New Zealand or somewhere. Just curious if anyone out here knows his name. I think I may have met him before I knew who he was(or don’t know) when he was checking out the keywork on my Lehart flute.
On a related note I met the mighty Seamus Tansey by accident at the Strand Bar in Inch. I wasn’t paying much attention to the music because it was country western being played on a plugged in (electronic?) button accordian and piano. All of the suddden this big guy gets up and plays the loudest fastest most incredibly toned flute tunes I have ever heard. My mouth dropped and I said that’s Tansey. My brother who can’t stand traditional music said that he was like listening to Hendrix compared to what we had heard earlier that day in Dingle. After he played a few tunes I ended up talking and drinking with the man for a few hours. He was a great storyteller and extremely generous with his time. We were about the last people to leave the bar. A mighty man and mighty music.
Sorry about the long post my sessionmates are sick of hearing the story.
Patrick
well, can’t help you on the flute-maker pdunn, but that Tansey story was fantastic! What a great experience! Thanks for sharing
Regards,
- Ryan
great story, Patrick!
so, did you get a close look at his flute?
word is the Rudall/Rose he plays since childhood is now a keyless version, with Tansey having removed the keys, plugged the holes and shaved the blocks off.
True?
Yes David,
He was playing the ruddall, keys and blocks gone. He told me something along the lines of Why worry about what you don’t need. It had nice wide rings and if I remember correctly a large oval shaped name plate. He said there were better flutes out there but he was used to that one. His tone is beyond description in person. I’ve been listening to Easter Snow and King of the Concert Flute but in person its a whole different story. I’ve been blowing twice as hard since I met him but to no avail can’t get my flute to sound that light and quick. He also wouldn’t let me smoke a ciggarette. Said i’d ruin my lungs. But he quickly handed me his tobacco pipe instead. I guess I should listen. (I could go on and on).
Patrick.
Yup, all true. Listening to him play close up sounds as much drum as it does flute… and anyone who has heard him will agree. Seamus is a very nice guy and great player… but the king of sligo flute playing? He’s certainly the king of upper octave rolls, but… I’ll let Eldarion finish the story.
I must admit that I shuddered a bit to think that Seamus had de-keyed and de-blocked a Rudall(!),wondering to myself if this was akin to willful vandalism 
But then I suppose that you can take the view that at the end of the day it is now Seamus’s flute to do with as he likes,and this is the flute that he is used to,having played it since 1961.
No doubt Seamus didn’t have the option of a suitable alternative flute before taking such drastic action.Again, from what I can gather,it was quite common practice for older musicians to alter ‘classical’ flutes in this way to suit their own way of playing- so it’s ‘traditional’ in a way.
You make me very jealous .I was in Dingle last week and did not hear a single flute ! Pity I didn’t fall in with you ; I had a couple of decent flutes with me .
I have been thinking !!
I suppose that 30 to 40 years ago a damaged flute wasn’t worth the cost of restoration , even if one could find someone competent , and willing , to do the job .
Perhaps the pleasure the performances have given outweighs any purists view.
Why me? 
Hello out there,
I was surprised no one has heard of this flute maker (my original question) because his flutes were excellent. I may have come across an answer to my own question. I was looking over the liner notes to the newest Danu cd, and it mentions that Muireann Ni Amhoaoibh plays a flute by “Martin Doyle plus Maurice Reviol” I suspect this may be the guy. I remeber the Maurice part and I also remeber that the name did not sound distinctivly Irish (I could be wrong here, just a name I’m not familiar with) Also I ran in to the guy in Dingle and I suspect Muireann has roots there. Anyway though I only got to play the flute for a short time it sounded wonderful and loud reminding me in feel of an easier blowing Hammy. Anyone looking for a great flute at a great price should check this new guy out. Cillian O’Briain had one in his shop and another small shop also had one in stock. Take care Patrick
I see that the Whistle and Drum store webiste is now offering flutes by Reviol:
http://www.whistleanddrum.com/Irish+Flute+in+Honduran+Rosewood+by+Maurice+Reviol.html
I’ve never heard or seen one of his flutes, but it looks like it might be a good option for someone looking for a relatively inexpensive flute. I’d want to play one first, of course, but it’d be great to learn of a good new maker out there.
The flutes Cillian sells are made by Martin Doyle of Bray. Is Martin moving to New Zealand?
These are two superb clips from Shannon Heaton of Siúcra on the link above to the Whistle and Drum store webiste , well worth a listen.
These are fantastic clips for learners to listen to. The first track is played at a very relaxed pace and is totally in control. Playing this way can be more difficult than playing fast - give it a go.
Graham
Hello
That is the flute I tried while in Dingle (the one on the whistle and drum page). It was a good flute for the price. I’d rather have a lehart (the flute I play now) but its nice to know new makers are working out good designs. When I was in Cilian O briain’s shop he had two flutes in his case one was a Reviol the other may have been a Doyle. Iam not sure about Reviol moving to New Zealand. I heard that in a session from someone, they may have had the info wrong. Thanks take care Patrick
Yep… Maurice Reviol is moving in less than a month. A pity as I’ll be visiting Cillian in Dingle in November 
Yep, isn’t Shannon great?! I’m also bummed that she moved to Boston as I’d be taking flute lessons with her every week if I had the chance! Whenever she’s in Colorado we try to hook up. Her husband Matt is also a great Bodhran and Guitar player… I hear he also plays a mean fiddle. They have a new band called dearga. You can find them here http://www.eatsrecords.com/
Maurice Reviol is indeed yer man. I met him a few years ago when I spent a summer in Dingle. He’s German and spent a few years training/working with a woodwind manufacturer in Germany making bassoons and things. While I was there, he did a bit of work on my flute and also stuck a key on my O Briain chanter. Very nice guy. I talked to Cillian on the phone about a month ago and Maurice is indeed moving to New Zealand. Great to hear that he’s making flutes. I’d love to give one a try some time.
Muireann Ni Amhlaoibh is indeed from around Dingle. Never did get a chance to play with her, but her father Feargal is a great fiddle player.