About Armagh Pipersclub
A charity, founded in 1966 to teach and promote Irish traditional music, offering 53 classes per week to 200 + students from eight counties.
Armagh Pipersclub Description
Armagh Pipers Club is a charity founded in 1966 and based in Armagh City. It provides an education programme in Irish traditional music - currently offering uilleann pipes, fiddle, tin whistle, banjo, concertina, flute, singing, harp and accordion. The Club currently has some 218 students - children and adults - drawn from eight counties - and around 30 tutors.
The Pipers Club organises the annual William Kennedy Piping Festival, which every November draws exponents and enthusiasts from all over the world to play and hear pipe music. In 2017, for example, we had musicians from Cape Breton (Canada), Asturias, Scotland, Britanny, central and southern France, all over Ireland, USA and elsewhere. Previous years have featured Bulgaria, Italy, Galicia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Wales, Northumberland, Algeria and many other countries.
Funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council NI; Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council; Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade Reconciliation Fund; Foras na Gaeilge, Colmcille, other donors, and our own students.
Reviews
Cúig well reviewed (and the Festival plugged) by our Italian friend Sandro.
The Mark Donnelly Academy of Piping took place in the Áras on Saturday 13 April. Some 12 students and three Club tutors received expert tuition from Brian McNamara, Robbie Hughes and Martin McCormack.
Maith sibh, clann Uí Bhradáin!
Niall Valley talks about his new concerto, and the Pipers Club, on the 7 April edition of The Rolling Wave.
A reminder of the genius of John Rooney, one of the great Traveller pipers, who died some days ago. His playing style was often compared to that of Johnny and Felix Doran. Born in Crossmaglen, he was married to Felix's daughter and played a Dave Williams set modelled on Felix's. Our condolences to his widow Mary, son Larry and his family and friends.
Niall Vallely's new concerto reviewed folowing its St Patrick's Day première.
The Mark Donnelly Academy of Piping is returning to Áras na bPíobairí on 13 April. The Academy is open to all APC uilleann pipes students, and is supported by members of Mark’s family. We are inviting prominent pipers to take workshops dealing with specific aspects of piping – air playing, regulator playing, pipe maintenance. The weekend will include performances by the guest pipers and the pupils attending the workshops. The classes are free for members of Armagh Pipers Club and we hope that as many as possible will attend.Confirm your attendance at the classes next Monday 25th March, by e-mail to brian@armaghpipers.org or text 07896 273279.
Several friends of Armagh Pipers feature in Carlingford's upcoming series of concerts.
A few pics from today's Annual Concert, courtesy of Kathy Kiernan.
A preview of Ceiliúradh na Féile Pádraig - see the full show, featuring Armagh Pipers Club, on St Patrick's Day on BBCTwo NI at 21:00 and TG4 at 21:30!
In preparing for publication a selection of lectures from the first 25 years of the William Kennedy Piping Festival, we came across this hitherto un-noticed reference to him in the Newry Telegraph, in 1835, the year after his death.
Irish Music Magazine reviews the second William Kennedy Piping Festival CD below.
Due to unforeseen circumstances the office will be closed for the next few days but can be contacted by email: info@armaghpipers.com. The AGM due to take place tomorrow, Wednesday 20th, will be rearranged in a few weeks' time.
A complete DVD recording of the Museum concert is now available from the Áras, and at classes. Limited run so get your order in now!
A great February session in the Áras.