Hi,
Does anybody has an idea what happened with the workshop of the late Dave Williams ? Is all still with his family or is all now with another pipemaker ?
Who knows?
Family
Armagh Pipers’ Club have received a lot of equipment from Dave William’s family and are setting up a pipe making workshop in Armagh.
Cool.
Interesting. I wonder is Joe Kennedy involved at all? Joe would be a worthy user of Daves tools and equipment.
Joe’s left Armagh and returned to Canada.
That was quick. 
And we’re extremely lucky to have him back. No details as to the return, but likely (I would surmise), that it was family related - but that would warrant another topic.
Sorry to hear that Joe’s gone back to Canada, but I hope things go well for him there. How many pipemakers left in Ireland now making quality instruments? Cillian O’Briain, Robbie Hughes, Bill Haneman, Mikey Dunne, Kevin Thompson, Martin Prenshaw (Has Martin stopped making pipes?), Michael Dooley, Lorcan Dunne, Martin Carrigan. Who’s making pipes in Armagh then?
Of your list, Martin K. as far as I know turns out few if any instruments these days, and I believe Cillian is trying to move out of production. Not sure how many hours Robbie or Kevin are spending making uilleann pipes these days either. I think Marty’s back at the lathe though.
Don’t forget Gordon Galloway, he’s still turning out nice stuff AFAIK.
Is Donnacha Keegan making any these days?
Tommy
Martin Preshaw was just out here at the SCUPC Tionól–he’s definatley still making pipes, though he has been away from his workshop for the past couple of weeks.
No E
I believe Gordon is moving back to his native Scotland, actually.
The scuttlebutt that I heard is that the Vallelys are trying to set up a shop to teach pipemaking in Armagh using the stuff from Williams’ shop, but they’ve a few hurdles to overcome first, like insurance. Probably best to contact the Armagh Pipers’ club directly to find out what’s going on there if you feel you need to know.
djm
Doncha Keagan is still making Pipes, his contact detail is in the pipemaker contact list on NPU’s site. I contacted him ages ago when I was looking for a practice set when I was just beginning. Doncha quoted me abou PST1, 700 and a six month waiting list.
Cheers L42B 
Don’t forget Gordon Galloway, he’s still turning out nice stuff AFAIK DOES GORDON MAKE FULL SETS,I HAVE ONE HIS CHANTERS IN EBONY,AND ITS A GREAT STICK!! THANKS
Shhhhhhh!!! it’s quiet time now. 
Thanks,
I just wrote a mail. Now just waiting for a response.
Patrick
“Of your list, Martin K. as far as I know turns out few if any instruments these days, and I believe Cillian is trying to move out of production. Not sure how many hours Robbie or Kevin are spending making uilleann pipes these days either. I think Marty’s back at the lathe though.
Don’t forget Gordon Galloway, he’s still turning out nice stuff AFAIK.´” Bil.
I haven’t heard of Gordon Galloway before -does he only make chanters?
I heard a while back that Cillian was only making chanters and supplying reed making material. I think that Martin K/Carrigan only makes chanters and reeds Rowsome chanters.
Does this mean that there is only Bill Haneman, Lorcan Dunne, Michael Dooley, Donncha Keegan, Robbie Hughes, Kevin Thompson, Martin Prenshaw & possibly Caomhin O’Raghallaigh in the whole of Ireland that would take an order for a full set of pipes? Eight pipemakers and Cillian O’Briain & Martin Kerrigan making a chanter now and then.
In England there is Peter Hunter, Chris Bayley and Pat Stones. I think Keith Powell stopped making pipes some time ago.
Mark Donohoe, of Co. Kerry, is making very nice sets. Unfortunately only concert pitch at this time, well the last I asked him, 1 1/2 to 2 years ago. If you like Froment’s work but can’t get it, Mark is a good alternative. Mark is very affordable too.