The first time I got my hands on a practice set which was loaned to me I was sent home and told to get a feel for it and try and maybe have a go at a scale . It was going to be two weeks until I got my next lesson so in an effort to play something I recognised I learned the melody to “A black velvet band” . My first proper tune I learned was “The rambling pitchfork”
What tune did you first learn ?
RORY
Ps I apologise in advance if this has been covered before !!
Mine was Garrett Barry’s Jig 
Just under 2 weeks ago when I first got my practice set I decided I’d have a stab at playing Inisheer - partly because it’s my usual ‘tester’ tune when trying out new whistles and flutes. Plus the first part stays in the lower octave (which was all I could manage at the time). I’ve managed to add the second part now, although the Maid was well and truly Behind the Bar during my practice tonight! 
j.i.
Sorry I take it back I just remembered The first tune I learned was "the song of the chanter "then "The rambling pitchfork " !!
RORY
I just got the Clarke tutor and have erased the fingering that i had been using the month and a half prior, now I’m getting the tight style down pretty well. And along with it, my first tune, “The Connaughtman’s Rambles”. 
-Mike
Well, after the A note exercises in Heather Clarke’s book it’d have to be whatever was next, Song of the CHnater maybe, but as far as I can remember, my first ‘real’ tune - one that can be played in a session that is - was Martin Rochford’s from the HC tutor.
DavidG
Hewlett and An Phis Fluich…I took both on at the same time…still perfecting them.
Probably Blarney Pilgrim/Kesh/Merrily Kiss the Quaker
While I was supposed to be studying HR Clarke’s, I was really spending my time struggling to learn the tunes that first attracted me to UPs, Liam O’Flynn’s Dublin Reel and An Phis Fliuch. I still can’t play them right, but they’re still my favourite tunes.
djm
Fáinne Gael an Lae
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, brought over from the whistle. Though I can play what I would consider “harder tunes” I am still trying to bring over my first whistle tune, Irish Washerwoman. I suppose if I were really dedicated I would just practice that one tune until I could play it well and I was completely sick of it. Oh well, I won’t give up the day job anytime soon…back to the Christmas songs.
John
Edited to a form of English
Banks of the Suir, a lovely slow air.
My first tune on the pipes was Rory of the Hills…which I learned out of O’Neill’s. It’s also known as The King Of Laoise.
As a ‘learn by ear’ piper, I went for the tune Davy Spillane played in Riverdance - with a new stiff reed, that second octave C took some puff.
Following lots of airs, my first attempt at learning a fastish tune - ‘Out on the ocean’
My first attempt at learning a really fast tune - ‘The milliner’s daughter’ (this has remained my favourite tune).
I like whistling that one, too. I copied the ‘Carnival Band’ version (they back Maddy Prior?) with a nifty little fill/bridge that leads into the main tune beautifully and which I like to twin with Personent Hodie - I like the mediaeval sound sometimes.
If the pipes come out New Year’s Eve for a quick Auld Lang’s Syne outside at midnight, as well they might, I reckon God Rest YMG is almost guaranteed as the next tune - then Joy to the World? 
j.i.
First tune would have been the Dublin Reel, as it was my favourite tune at the time. First jig was Father O’Flynn.
Correction Lorenzo…the above in Saxon English is**" The March of the King of Laois"**
in the Gaelic**“Máirseáil Rí Laoise”**
Slán
Uilliam
…Might I recommend that if the pipes come out on New Years Eve, that they remain indoors. Cold, wet winter weather isn’t very reed friendly. 
I can’t really remember, but I think my first tune was ‘Sean Bui,’ taught to me by the wonderful Seattle piper Phil White.
Justine
What, Joseph? Surely you’re not suggesting it’s going to be cold and wet here on New Year’s Eve? You pessimist you!
I’m believing for a heat wave!
Actually we were up in Newcastle on Tyne last year and it was decidedly deep and crisp and even that night!
Actually, it was bloody cold!
So that’s good advice from you I’m sure Joe, as usual. How about if I play indoors but with the windows open, how about that?
j.i.