So, when did you all start playing this instrument?
Why? Where did you hear (about) them?
Do you play other instruments? 
Hi 123454321
I started playing UPs about 2 years ago after trying to learn the smallpipes.
Reason for learning 1) I like the sound 2) The Uilleann chanter fits my hand structure better than the smallpipe chanter.
I first heard the Uilleann pipes played live in the 1980’s when listening to a band called Setanta who had a piper called David Munroe, (you have a lot to answer for Davy).
Other instruments played - percussion (bodhran, djembe, darabuka, udu, talking drum etc).
David
I still have yet to start. If only I had more money…
You should know that no one answers this question honestly. 
I say 3 years.
Got my practice set about 15 years ago but they spent a lot of time in the closet until a few years ago.
First heard them in the Bothy Band, first saw them being played by John Tuohy of San Diego.
Why? They sound cool. What else do I play? I’ve played whistle for about 17 years, I also play fiddle a little but only polkas.
Justine
Um…don’t ask how I got onto this beast of an instrument. A very long story indead.
I think it was my father (he doesn’t play them though) who introduced me to the instrument. Before the Uilleann Pipes I had been playing the smallpipes (one year beforehand) and the GHB’s for four years prior. But Paddy Moloney one me over.
I don’t know if it was the jig that he played on the Down the old Plank Road DVD (track one)? Or was it the machanics of this monster? Either way here I am not nearly a year after learning this instrument and I’m onto Vol. 3 of the NPU tutor videos.
Cheers L42B
1991
Thought it would be a good thing to do at the time (still do)
Planxty Record (The Black Album)
Yes
DG
Been playing(?) for a week.
First heard the uilleann pipes either on the Pogues LP Rum, Sodumy and the Lash or on some film or other before that. I’ve always loved the sound and, along wioth the harp, it is one of the only two instruments I have ever really wanted to play.
Andrew
1999
the sound
ireland
yes
Finbar Fureys rendering of A piper in the meadow straying. The sound from that tune and the feel…
Never seen a set of pipes before I got my first practice set. thought the wind hose between bellows and bag was supposed to be on my back…hehe it didnt work so I had to get the NPU tutor.
Been to 3 workshops in Copenhagen since.
I thought everyone got started after hearing Caoineadh Cú Chulainn?
I started when I found out all the chicks you could get…LOL!!!
I started sometime in the 90’s , after having met Nick Whitmer, who was down in Va. at the time. After he played some really cool tunes on his Uillean for me I asked him where I could get a set like that ?..and he told me he’d make me one…
Which suited me fine because at the time I was playing the GHB and trying to figure out how you play Irish tunes on a GHB without them coming out sounding half-arsed… conclusion : impossible, time to get an Irish pipe for Irish tunes LOL
My friends appreciated that switch in bagpipes too, I think, because they were playing Irish harp,whistle, guitar, etc and would run away at the sight of a GHB .
So, when did you all start playing this instrument?
1996, stopped in 1999 and went travelling. Started again in 2001. Still going.
Why?
Enchanted by the sound. Wanted to be able to make the same sound.
Where did you hear (about) them?
My first recollection of hearing them was in school (in Ireland) when the teacher played recordings of various “Irish” instruments (flute, fiddle, tin whistle, harp, Brian Boru Pipes, Irish Warpipes, Uilleann Pipes, etc). I distinctly remember thinking that the Uilleann pipes were much nicer than all the others. I got a gift voucher for Golden Discs in 1987 and bought Mark Knopfler’s Soundtrack to the movie Cal. Liam O’Flynn and Paul Brady appear on the soundtrack. I wore out the tape listening over and over again to LOF. Later, I bought Davy Spillane and rediscovered Moving Hearts, Planxty, Chieftains, etc. I’m currently re-rediscovering Planxty and the Chieftains.
Do you play other instruments?
Guitar (DADGAD preferably), whistles, flute (for a bit), bodhran (but don’t tell anyone).
Started about 2 1/2 -3 yrs ago, but have had minimal practice time, so I’d say I’m about 1 yr. into my 21. 
I loved the sound for years but only started pursuing it actively since seeing the dreaded Spillane appearence.
I also play guitar, bass, oboe, whistles, mandolin and used to play piano, French and English Horns.
At least I should be ready to play the pipes out when I’m too old to jump around on stage like an idiot with a guitar anymore.
Early 2000, I spent a while learning the basics, and then began studying the make of the pipes because I wanted to make my own, and I waded into the zen of reed making..
Sound!
Pumping Bellows!
Making reeds
practiceset nov 2001
+drones nov 2003
+regulators jan 2005
I heard the magic sound 25 years ago (planxty, bothy band etc)
a pity I didn’t start at that moment
Now I will be ably to play them in the best way in 2022 and I will be 67 so hopefully I can survive my old days piping
9 years. I started on May 17, 1996, at the hoary old age of 24.
Yeah I know you older folks won’t have any sympathy, but I wish I had started at 14 or 15.
Practice set early 2004(February 28, I think), at the age of 16. I should have my drones in September of this year(very excited! ) if nothing unexpected happens.
[quote="Pat Cannady
Yeah I know you older folks won’t have any sympathy, but I wish I had started at 14 or 15.[/quote]
I’am not old
Carel, you’re only as old as you feel.
24 isn’t old at all in reality, but it is just old enough to make playing the pipes a lot harder than it would be for a 14 year old with no job, no girlfriend, and no responsibilities. Consequently it is easier for a teenager to evolve into a professional quality musician then it is for an adult learner. I want to be a professional quality piper NOW, not 10 years from now. That is why I wish I had started sooner.