Latest Laois News: Young Piping Master inspiring next generation of Laois Uileann Pipers 
From student to master; Joe Byrne’s piping exhibition a fitting reward for a gifted scholar
Joe Byrne, Uilleann Piping from Co Kildare (The Ace and Deuce of Piping 5)
Na Píobairí Uilleann is delighted to announce the publication of Joe Byrne, ‘Uilleann Piping from Co Kildare,’ the fifth release in NPU’s Ace and Deuce of Piping recording series.
Joe, from Athy in Co Kildare, has produced a recording of outstanding quality, featuring many classic tunes performed in a manner redolent of the great piping masters yet very much with his own individual, accomplished stamp. A launch of Joe’s new album will take place on Saturday 12 March in Laois Music Centre, Church Avenue, Portlaoise at 5pm. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend. Gay McKeon, CEO of Na Piobairí Uilleann will launch the album in Portlaoise, and Joe will perform, as well as some of the current pipers and past students from the Music Generation Laois piping programme.
This is the fifth CD in Na Piobairí Uilleann’s Ace and Deuce of Piping series, and this solo recording by Joe Byrne is on concert pitch pipes made by Paddy Hyland, Laois Pipemaker.
Joe joined Music Generation Laois in 2012 as a child, studying pipes with Gay McKeon in Portlaoise, part of a partnership pipe programme with Na Piobairí Uilleann.
Joe is now an exceptional piper, and teacher. Joe teaches uilleann pipes with Music Generation Laois, as well as with Music Generation Louth, Music Generation Offaly-Westmeath and Na Píobairí Uilleann and is a regular performer and teacher at traditional music events nationwide.
Paddy Hyland is a laois Pipemaker well-known across the country for his craftsmanship. Paddy has been an active advocate and support to Music Generation Laois since the programme was established in 2012.
Joe Byrne, Uilleann Piping from Co Kildare is available to purchase on www.pipers.ie.
For more information, contact Music Generaiton Laois on mgl@loetb.ie or call 057 8681782
About Laois Music Centre
Laois School of Music and Music Generation Laois are partner organisations based in Laois Music Centre on Church Avenue, part of Laois Offaly Education and Training Board and supported by Laois County Council. Laois School of Music offer a range of programmes from children age 3 upwards, including adults. Classes are available in kindermusic (3-6 year olds), pre-instrumental (7 year olds), piano, guitar, ukulele, bass guitar, violin, electric fiddle, double bass, cello, brass, flute, oboe, saxophone, drum kit, singing, keyboard, Leaving Cert music, music theory, Saturday strings programme, concertina, trad flute, harp, bodhrán, uilleann pipes, The Music Box for children with special needs, rock and pop bands, trad groups and trad orchestra.
Uilleann pipe classes take place on Fridays each week, in partnership with Na Piobairí Uilleann and pipes are available for hire.
To find out more about Laois Music Centre, call 057 8681782, email mgl@loetb.ie or see musicgenerationlaois.ie
Laois School of Music is supported by Laois Offaly Education and Training Board, Laois County Council, and Laois Arts Office through support from the Arts Council of Ireland.
Music Generation Laois is part of Music Generation, Ireland’s National Music Education programme, funded nationally by the Department of Education, U2 and the Ireland Funds. Locally Music Generation Laois is part of and funded by Laois Offaly Education and Training Board and supported by Laois County Council.
About Na Píobairí Uilleann
Na Píobairí Uilleann (NPU), the Society of Uilleann Pipers was founded in 1968 when there were less than 100 uilleann pipers remaining. Today NPU is a thriving arts organisation dedicated to Sharing the Sound of Ireland through Access, Education, Performance and Preservation.
Since unveiling its restored Georgian premises at 15 Henrietta Street, Dublin, in January 2007, NPU has been busy catering for the expanding demand for regular tuition, as well as releasing a number of significant publications and recordings. With demand for pipes considerably exceeding supply, a dedicated Training Centre – PipeCraft – was established in 2011 to deliver training in the very highly skilled craft of uilleann pipemaking.
NPU is accredited to UNESCO as a competent NGO in the field of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).
NPU lobbied the Irish Government to ratify the UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage which resulted in the inclusion of Uilleann Piping on the UNESCO representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2017.
Na Píobairí Uilleann’s primary funding agencies include the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Dublin City Council.
Na Píobairí Uilleann, 15 Henrietta Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
Website: www.pipers.ie
Email: info@pipers.ie
Phone: 00353(0)1 8730093
Facebook: www.facebook.com/napiobairiuilleann
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Napiobairi