I’ve never played the Uilleann Pipes, but play the Carpatian Bagpipes. I would really like to play the Uilleann Pipes. Where can I buy a set of pipes in Dublin. For the time being I am interested in any option that isn’t too expensive. I am English but live in the Ukraine and will be in Dublin for a few days before the New Year. Any advice would be appreciated.
You couldn’t go wrong by visiting 15 Henrietta Street, home of Na Piobairi Uilleann.
Prior to that visit, however, drop a line to them to inquire about the availability of pipe makers and sets in the area, or you could check out their website (which has “Pipes for Sale” offerings):
Thanks very much!
Bear in mind that 15 Henrietta Street will be closed until the New Year (in fact it’s closed for an undeterminate period, for essential maintenance)
You would be exceedingly lucky to find what you want just by dropping in anywhere. Pipes are normally ordered in advance. Depending on the maker, the wait can be one or more years. You may luck out and find a used set you want at a price you can afford, but you should understand that good pipes are not sitting on some retailer’s shelf to be bought at your leisure. They are few and far between. See the FAQ thread for more info.
djm
djm notes
good pipes are not sitting on some retailer’s shelf to be bought at your leisure. They are few and far between.
However, the exception may be Hevia, Parrado y Aragon, pipemakers from Spain. I remember several posts on this board, most notibly by Becky Taylor, that their UPs could be bought off-the-shelf from some European distributors.
The only hitch is price, their pipes get good reviews, but their prices are right at the top of the range. Check out their web site:
and remember the adage: “You can have it fast, cheap, or good = pick any two.”
everyone ignores goldy!!!..i have a set for sale
Unfortunately even your pipes are a little above my budget. I was thinking of spending up to $1000, maybe this is unrealistic.
I paid $100 for my Carpatian pipes, I bought them from an old pipemaker who lives in a village in the Mountains. The only remaining pipemaker in Ukraine. It is a diatonic instrument tuned to a specific Carpatian scale, made from local materials. It sounds great just like they always sounded in the Carpatians. Is it possible to buy a set of pipes not neccesarily made from expensive african wood, that still sound O.K and most importantly like Irish pipes. I looked at the pipes that you have for sale and they looked wonderful, but I think I need to consider something a little simpler.
Is there any alternative for someone who wants to learn the Irish pipes but only has a small budget?
you will be lucky to get a decent chanter for 1000 dollars let alone a set
Two options spring to mind for budget starter sets in a hurry:
http://www.uilleannpipeworks.com/ make realistic-looking practise sets from injection-moulded black plastic.
There’s also the venerable “penny chanter” http://www.daye1.com/pennychanter.html
The waitlists are short - measured in weeks - and the price is well below $1000. I’ve played both in the past, and was surprised at their quality given the price. Of course, they’re both in the US, which is a long way from England or the Ukraine, but at least they’re in parts of the US that have weather more similar to Ukraine than to England (very cold, dry winters; hot humid summers), so that may work in your favour.
or Pat Sky’s budget sets - US$600 for bag, bellows and chanter. But again, he’s in the US. But the chanters are made of wood, which is good. Good wood.
www.patricksky.com
DavidG
If you want a good maker in the Dublin area try Kevin Thompson or Donnacha Keegan.
Although I’m hearing that there are great sets of pipes being turned out in the Skerries area! Great stuff Bill.
Tommy