I bumped into this on Google News - Cobourg man offers unique sound
http://www.northumberlandnews.com/entertainment/article/170148
Best quote: 'The difference between the bagpipes and the uilleann is simple, he said. ‘There is a one-word answer – evolution’."
The uilleann pipes have bellows so performers can sing and play at the same time, he said.
Ah, so that’s the reason. I wonder if the pipers I know who can only manage to grunt and grimace while chanter and regs are a-flying realize that they’re missing that piece.
The instrument also has regulators, which are basically keys to play > cords> .
So it’s a string instrument, too! Who knew?
the first suite written for the uilleann as a solo instrument.
I’ve been trying for years to convince composers to write music for my elbow!
OK, no surprise that a reporter would mangle things. Still nice to see some publicity. 
Aye, it’s nice to see the instrument getting some publicity, but could the reporter not get something right about it? Although the piper featured in the story wasn’t helping with comments like “they sound like the offspring” of Highland pipes and an organ. Eh?