Uilleann Pipes have been taught at the summer school from the outset, thanks in no small part to two of our founder members, Geraldine Murtagh & Rita Flannery, both now sadly deceased.
While not as prevalent as the fiddle and flute locally, the uilleann pipes are rightly considered to represent the ‘Sound of Ireland’ as outlined by Emmett Gill, Archivist with Na PíobairI Uilleann, at our most recent summer school.
Brian Gallahar was our inaugural pipes tutor at the first summer school in 1987 and for many years Brian led the way, encouraging, mentoring and sharing his deep store of knowledge of the instrument with pupils of all ages from near and far.
This year we had piping students from the Netherlands and Switzerland as well as from the local area and region. Our regular piping tutor Leonard Barry was ably assisted this year by Fiona Doherty. Fiona, a multi instrumentalist and music teacher with vast teaching experience, has taught a range of workshops at the summer school over the years, including fiddle, whistle and mixed melody instruments for adults.
Uilleann Pipes (All Levels) w/ Leonard Barry
Leonard, from North Kerry, but now living in Sligo, is one of Ireland’s finest uilleann pipers. He has played and taught the pipes in the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia. Leonard has worked with many of Ireland’s leading singer songwriters including Luka Bloom and John Spillane. Leonard recently released a CD entitled 'New Road' with fellow Sligo musicians Seamie O'Dowd and Rick Epping and Leitrim fiddle player Andy Morrow. Thanks to his input since moving to live in Sligo in recent years, the uilleann pipes has increased in popularity in the region. Long may this continue and develop.
Uilleann Pipes (Intermediate/Adv.) w/ Leonard Barry
Leonard, from North Kerry, but now living in Sligo, is one of Ireland’s finest uilleann pipers. He has played and taught the pipes in the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia. Leonard has worked with many of Ireland’s leading singer songwriters including Luka Bloom and John Spillane. Leonard recently released a CD entitled 'New Road' with fellow Sligo musicians Seamie O'Dowd and Rick Epping and Leitrim fiddle player Andy Morrow. Thanks to his input since moving to live in Sligo in recent years, the uilleann pipes has increased in popularity in the region. Long may this continue and develop.
Uilleann Pipes (Beginner/Improv.) w/Mark Dunleavy
Mark Dunleavy
Mark, from Bunnanadden, Co Sligo, is a former pupil of the South Sligo Summer School, having regularly attended Leonard Barry’s piping workshops at the school since he was a small boy. He is actively involved in his local Comhaltas branch in Ballymote where he is Youth Officer. He is a regular contributor to sessions around South Sligo. Having gained so much from the teaching and expertise of his mentor Leonard Barry during his formative playing years, Mark is delighted to now have the opportunity to share his knowledge and learning with summer school attendees who want to give the uilleann pipes a go or those who have made a start already and want to develop their playing further.