If you were really comitted to furthering your piping career and you were free to move to anywhere you wanted, where would be the best place to be? I suppose the obvisous answer would be Dublin with all the resoures that are there.
Do you agree with Dublin or is there any other location that you think would be good to move too ?
RORY
The obvious answer would be Dublin,“WHY” 
I can think of a lot better places.
Well dont be shy ,tell us what location you think would be better and why.
RORY
Having lived in Dublin and started piping there, I’d like to agree with Rorybellows, but there would certainly be contenders to the title of piping capitol. I’m thinking of Armagh, certain west coast counties (like Clare, Kerry, Limerick/Galway), London, certain cities in the U.S.
I am surprised at the answers so far. Remember, this isn’t a quiz about your favourite place to live, but rather, where would you live specifically to learn/improve your piping. I am not aware of any place that could come close to Dublin (though I’ve never been there) simply because of having NPU there and the top piping talent it attracts, as well as all the UP history and knowledge that dwells therein.
djm
Next door to Liam O’Flynn.
Mukade
In fact, the question is where would you live to further your piping career. You could interpret this to mean a place where there aren’t many pipers but where the people like piping. Nothing improves a career like a captive market - even a crap piper could thrive in such conditions. 
Maybe this accounts for regional styles?
Just for the sake of stimulating a conversation, I was thinking of the calibre of pipers who come from non-Dublin organizations like the Armagh Pipers Club (C. Vallely, J. Henderson, T. O’Duinnchinn [spelling?]) and the London Pipers Club (Emmett Gill, Steafan Hannigan). Obviously though the sun revolves around Henrietta Street. 
Next door to Liam O’Flynn.
I’m with Mukade on this one.. Can I borrow a cup of sugar, and while I’m here can we go over a few triplets?
Nothing improves a career like a captive market - even a crap piper could thrive in such conditions
Hi PJ.. Being a lifelong crap piper in an area where there aren’t a lot of pipers I can see the flaw in this one 
The people who really like piping tend to gravitate to the places where there ARE good pipers.
The people who really like piping tend to gravitate to the places where there ARE good pipers
I feel better off having good musicians around rather than just pipers. A bit of a broader context is better for you.
I am where I want to be.
I’d say anywhere in Ireland (Cork area for me) just to sip the atmosphere, some good regular sessions and openminded musicians regardless of what instrument they’re playing to take you under your wings. Add regular lessons from a good piper with good tutoring skills and you’ll be flying in a year!!! (talking from experience.)
Rob
rorybellows, you’re not thinking of moving, are you?
I would like to move actually,Dingle is 30 mile from me and I’d like to move there. I agree with the opinion about having good music and musicians around you and I really like the sessions you get in Dingle. There are some great fiddle players in some of the sessions there that I really enjoy.
Most of my local pubs play a mish mash of country and western and sub-standard ballad sessions. Irish country and western is the only music that I can honestly say I hate.As soon as I win the lottery I’m off to Dingle.
RORY
If you could get to know a few musicians that are more into playing tunes than ballads I’d say you should get together on your own.
Went back to Cobh this summer with my family, we stayed for 6 days and our friends got together for some extra sessions just for us??? flattered!!! 2 session nights out of 4 were brilliant, that will keep me going for the next Swedish winter months.
Rob
havent been checking your email have you???
…MRS BRENDA X BILLSON is writing to inform you there is 10 MILLION POUNDS awaiting your signature for delivery in a PO box in LIBERIA.. in order to process the money we need YOUR BANK ACCOUNT # first…
agreed 100%: but, oh,
there’s much, much, MUCH more repulsive music than that out there… 
like REAL c/w for instance…
I’d be happy anywhere that would allow me to get in a lot more practice and playing time (although a salubrious reed environment would be helpful) I’m not even to the point where I’d know what to ask a real piper. 
(although yesterday I did have a major breakthrough when I figured out that bag is supposed to go under my left arm )
(although like Rory, I sure wouldn’t mind Dingle – with occasional trips up to Cork for the music and Tomas visits and to Abbeyfeale to marvel at Louise M when she’s in the neighborhood)
Edited to remove strange outbreak of repetition, repetition, repetition
Anywhere in Utah, hands down. Everyone knows that geographic isolation and climatic adversity breed fortitude and perseverance. As an added bonus, no one ever sees you break a sweat since it evaporates immediately. Humidity is for sissies.
Anyone know if Liam O’Flynn skis?
Apart from Ireland (I go there on a regular basis anyway…), I’d say Britanny or Paris are not bad either, good players there, some with a sensitive Clare style, which really suits me fine. But I would never move to Paris, no way.
Well Rory, the next time you’re in Dingle, be sure to give Con Durham a big, wet, sloppy kiss for me…