I just read that Robbie Hannan is the new Chairman for the Na Píobairí Uilleann.
For more go to http://www.pipers.ie/news/newsitems_New%20NPU%20Chairman.htm
Cheers
Ferg
Very cool news. 
Actually, HOT 
news, i.e., (pipin’) hot off the press!!! Wonderful. I really like his style of playing.
I am left with a big question mark after the previous two reactions. Why is a change of chairman cool or hot? Gay wasn’t my first choice in the vote for chairman at the time and I would maybe not have agreed to all policies put in place or how things were done. During his chairmanship however undeniably a lot of good things were put into motion and a lot of work was done. So on a whole a positive development in the expansion of the organisation and it’s work.
I don’t know the reason for the resignation and I think Robbie will be a capable chairman but before we can speak of ‘cool’ and all that sort of stuff isn’t it better to see how continuity is maintained and how things progress? And support the organisation into this new era? By the end of the day it’s not really important which chairman’s playing we like best (if it is maybe get Neillidh back then). How the organisation is run and how welcoming it is to ALL pipers is more important wouldn’t you think?
Very well put, Peter. While I’m sure that we all wish Robbie the best during his tenure as Chairman, we should take a moment and thank Gay for all the hard work he has done at the helm of NPU.
-Larry Dunn
What are the terms of office for NPU chairperson?
T
IIRC, officers are elected annually at the AGM at NPU’s spring tionól. I note that the annoucement states that Gay will continue as “acting CEO,” so this is probably more of a reorganization and less dramatic than it might appear at first.
I’ll shut up now and wait for some facts to surface.
-Larry
I am with you 100% regarding your post, but I feel it important 6to let you know that my reaction was to wish Robbie well and I did not intend it to mean anything else.
As far as interorginizational politics go at NPU, I haven’t a clue about past or present office holders, their good deeds or their bad ones and I certainly wouldn’t express my opinions of them here if I did.
Sorry for the confusion, and “Good Luckl Robbie”.
I second Peter’s hope for continuity in the ongoing initiatives going on at NPU. Gay very graciously gave me a tour of Henrietta St. while I was in Dublin in July, a veritable beehive of activity on that day with all the piper-monks hard at work (Harry Bradley, Pat Mitchell, Terry Moylan, Nollaig MacCarthaigh) making the future safe for union piping.
I had the impression that Gay’s project management experience (as a former senior GE exec, I think he said) was going to be a great asset in the ongoing projects that were going on there - the building renovations (including a new performance space), ensuring that NPU was on a sound organizational and financial footing, external relations/fundraising, etc. He was in the process of compiling the membership survey results, and most exciting from my perspective, was interested in developing programs and resources that would support more far-flung members and piping activities outside of Ireland. Perhaps another career opportunity came his way. In any case, I’m optimistic that Robbie Hannan will do a fine job at the helm.
Cheers,
Mark
By the end of the day it’s not really important which chairman’s playing we like best (if it is maybe get Neillidh back then).
I agree, but if it was down to the piper that I enjoy listening to I’d vote for Neillidh Mulligan any day of the week!!!
I’d stand on hot coals to listen to Neillidh, even though I’m a Rowsome fan. But no-ones doing that nowadays anyway.
Mind you Neilidh was chairman in the past, with his leather waistcoat… Didn’t CdeB have something to do with that downfall???
Both Neillidh and Gay are good friends of mine but I have never met Mr Hannon. Both Neillidh and Gay did very good jobs in NPU and I’m sure Robbie Hannon will do a great job too. His experience with the Cultra museum will stand to him very well.
By the way, I love that recording of Mr. H fron Bettystown circa 1982. Do you have that Peter?
Wild Bill Flynn played that year, it’s fairly bouncy too!!
If you haven’t got that, pm me and I’ll send it to you a tape.
If anyone else wants one, don’t bother ask me. I’m behind on promises. Sorry Bill…
Best wishes to Robbie Hannon.
Tommy Martin
I want one… oops, I asked you. 
Mind you Neilidh was chairman in the past, with his leather waistcoat… Didn’t CdeB have something to do with that downfall???
Some things are better left unsaid.
I’d like to have a gold coin with a stamped image of Neillidh on one side and Kevin Rowsome on the other.
Here’s hoping that the new chair of NPU does well in his position of authority. Hopefully, he will be able to think outside the box with regards to pipers and pipering. He has big shoes to fill.
Have you never met Robbie? He’s HUGE! 
P.
We may also notice an uptick of tionóil located near golf courses. 
No E
And far from Mexican restaurants 
PD.
This is good news indeed!
Oh? How sad is that!
Probably a way not to have afternoon classes