Is membership in Na Píobairí Uilleann worth the dues?
Yes.
perfect - thanks
Highly recommend it. Especially if your a lone piper in your area. They have a large amount of resources and are very helpful with general enquires about the pipes (general matininance problems etc). Through my NPU membership I’ve also been able to gain access to resources (books, videos, CD’s) that I wouldn’t be able to access in the country town that I live in. Or you average book store.
EDIT: There previouse An Piobari article on “Tuning the [troublesome] Reglators” has been very usefull. You should be able to access the document through Na Piobari Uilleans online resource centre.
Cheers L42B 
Definately worth the fees.
Besides, NPU is gradually improving as pan continental organisation year by year (and hopefully the website) but putting that aside, think of the benefits. :roll:
A free reed making book download although you don’t need to be a member to get it but look upon it shareware. That alone is worthe the membership costs. In addition look at the time and effort gone into making the DVD on reedmaking; an excellent piece of kit.
Also consider the magazine often well stocked with news and views and a tune or two.
Personally I don’t think we would be where we are today in terms of quality makers, instruments and tution if NPU didn’t exist.
So yes, IMHO it is worth supporting.
Jolyon
No, not unless you lie and say your unwaged. The subscription seems a bit steep for 6 small magazines full of obituaries and reminiscences with a couple of tunes thrown in.
I must admit, I have always been a tad disappointed with the content of the magazine. I was happy when they introduced colour pics, but I see they’ve gone back to B&W apparently by popular demand!!
But I guess the magazine is really only a minor part of NPU membership compared to the other services offered (or will be offered when they finally get there website up and running).
Cheers,
DavidG
I don’t think that there are obvious benifits that would just jump out at you. However, I like being a member because I feel part of an organisation that is continuing to promote an art form that almost died in Ireland. So maybe from an historical point of view and out of respect for the work that is ongoing to promote piping and GOOD IRISH MUSIC in general, I think it is important for every piper to become a member.