That’s interesting now. I’m currently restoring to playing condition a set that had been hanging on the wall of Jimmy O’ Brien’s pub in Killarney and I’m trying to figure out the maker as it is not stamped at all. I had a feeling that the Brogan set that Peter used to play was similar looking in a number of ways and as far as I can tell so far, the set from Jimmy’s pub is pitched around C#ish. And before anyone says it’s a Coyne set that I have, that is not fully sure and correct. That is only speculation. They have been inspected closely by plenty of pipers in the know and it is still an unknown. The bores have not yet been measured.
And before anyone says it’s a Coyne set that I have, that is not fully sure and correct.
I am sure you’re aware that’s the way it’s always been described by various people. Mick Dooley, in the Gandsey book, has it down as a Coyne, and fairly definite. It would be interesting to find out who the maker is but you shouldn’t be too surprised if anyone follows received wisdom.
Are there any actual images or accounts clarifying that these were Gandsey’s pipes for sure? Jimmy himself has told me that they are definitely not Gandsey’s. Does anyone actually know who these came from when Jimmy got them? He can’t recall exactly who it was that came to him with them but he knows that they are not Gandsey’s.
They have been in the pub since 1963 (and it’s good to hear you’re fixing them up) but any association with Gandsey is speculative, as far as I know. The set is right handed too, while Gandsey wasn’t.
It’s a great thing that they have been untouched over the years of sets being compromised to play in concert D. They left the pub when Jimmy sold it and he has had them at home up to last year when, after a series of visits, songs, tunes and chats, Jimmy offered them to me. He was happy to have them passed on to a local musician and interested piper. I will share some photos here when I get the chance to sit down and organise them.
Hi Bellows,
could you possibly post a close-up foto of ornamentation-rings? I think while the “design” might change in the course of a pipemaker´s life, they might change less frequently. Their depth, distance, shape, sequel are a bit comparable to fingerprints. Even if they will not make an identyfication sure, they might help to rule things out.