I play the whistle (as well as a few other things), but the Uilleann pipes have been calling me for some time. I would be looking to start, i think, with good quality a practice set that can be upgraded later. I think it’s best when learning any instrument to begin with a reasonably good one; too many learners are confounded by poor instruments, and give up without having had a fair chance, often in the belief that the problem is with them and not the instrument. The makers of these shoddy instruments are really to blame. Their usual response is that they are making an instrument “accessible”, but that is rarely their prime motive.
Anyway, to cease my rant and get to the point, i was looking for a practice set in concert D. I live in the Isle of Man, but there are no pipe makers here, so i’d probably be looking for a maker in Ireland.
Can the members of this forum recommend some makers of pipes in Ireland?
Also, what are the best materials for Uilleann pipes?
How much should i expect to pay?
Are there any things to be avoided?
What design features can you recommend?
Any help or advice, or direction to previous relevant threads, would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers! I’ve been trawling through these fora for advice, and I think i’m settled on getting a practice set. I would have to order a new set as i’d be unable to view them before buying (living on the Isle of Man). So i’d just like some opinions (i’m aware that that’s all they would be) on pipe makers in Ireland. If you got your pipes from Ireland, who did you get them from, and are you happy with them?
I’ve had sets by Charles Roberts and Martin Preshaw (both in Eire) and was delighted with both. All the other sets I’ve played and owned have been American or Canadian.
Why restrict yourself to an Irish maker, there are perfectly good makers in the UK as well, that would be just as easy for you to get to as Irish ones.
A reasonable second hand set might be an option as well and avoid the wait time.
with the dollar in the toilet you’d also do pretty good picking up a new or pre-owned set from over here. there are so many youtube clips up now (unlike when a lot of us bought our sets) that you can do quite a bit of virtual shopping for a set that fits your aural preferences.
Thanks for all the advice. I have no problem with buying a second hand set, but i’d have to view it first, and the cost of travel from here to the adjacent islands is pretty high, and even then i don’t know what to look for in pipes. I would simply have to trust that the seller is an honest man. With a new set you don’t really have that problem.
Nor do i have a preference for irish pipe makers! it’s just that it’s fairly easy to get there if i need to. I would buy american but a lot of people here have said it’s best to find a maker nearby incase there are any problems.
Maybe i’ll keep my eyes open for a second hand practice set. Maybe i could post the pictures here and get an opinion on them if any turn up?
I think it would be glorious to live near my pipemaker. Sadly, it is unlikely unless some pipemaker moves to Idaho (Hey guys, I’ve got a full acre in the back yard where you can set up shop any time you want )
That said, I’ve never had a lick of trouble getting pipes that have come through the shop serviced, reeded, repaired etc by other makers and smart guys. So, being close to “the” pipe maker isn’t critical but being close to “a” pipemaker or at least a reed maker is lovely. Even there I’m personally out of luck but the mail works fine.
I have a fantasic half set by Mark Donohoe who is in Ireland.He makes beautiful pipes and are very easy to play ,I think he would be well worth contacting . this is his e-mail address
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