A recent edition of the Garda Review Magazine has an interesting article written by Edwin Handcock about the tradition of uilleann piping in an Garda Siochana and the Royal Irish Constabulary. It has photos of the Dublin Metropolitan Garda Ceilidhe Band (1925 to 1960), John Geoghegan, John Hannen (Hannon?) and Matt Kiernan (bent over his lathe).
There’s mention of how John Geoghegan came by his first set of pipes: While stationed in Co. Galway, he found a set of pipes in an old shed behind a pub. The pipes were “covered in feathers and hens’ droppings”. The pub owner gave him the pipes, although he subsequently acquired a set of Rowsome pipes.
John Hannen (Hannon?), the RIC piper, was stationed mostly in Ulster. He retired to Portaferry, Co. Antrim. He died in 1925 and his pipes were left to the local veterinary surgeon.
Sgt. Tom Armstrong of Kildare is also mentioned. He was a student of Leo Rowsome and regularly visited the home of Liam O’Flynn Snr with his pipes.
A nice article with some interesting history.