The pipes, the pipes are calling

A chara, – I noted with great interest the Mater private hospital advert of April 2nd featuring a grimacing woman apparently suffering the effects of listening to the debut performance of an uilleann piper, presumably a young relative.

It is worth noting that one astonishing feature of the current generation of young players of the uilleann pipes is their astounding level of skill and artistry on this most beautiful and unique of Irish musical instruments.

This is certainly the result of a national network of passionate, dedicated teachers and pupils.

So the difficulties of the subject of the ad would appear to be somewhat out of place with reality.

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Furthermore, the advert notes the piper as being a male. Another of the great achievements of recent decades in uilleann piping has been the explosion in the numbers of female uilleann pipers.

As testimony, Na Píobairí Uilleann recently released a marvellous CD comprised solely of seven young highly gifted pipers, Mná na bPíob, which would offer unbounded pleasure to the advert’s subject.

In providing salve to her discomfort, the advert’s subject can take pleasure in knowing that uilleann piping is one of only two aspects of Irish culture which have been recognised on the Unesco list of world intangible cultural heritage, the other being hurling. – Is mise,

CAOIMHIN Mac AOIDH,

Béal Átha Seanaigh,

Co Thír Chonaill.