Dear Sir, I took special note of the recent advert from Mater private hospital on April 2nd. It portrayed a woman seemingly distressed while listening to the maiden performance of a young uilleann piper, who we can assume is a relation.
It’s important to realise that the youthful uilleann pipers of today are extremely gifted, displaying incredible talent and artistry with this unique and mesmerising Irish instrument. This mastery can undoubtedly be attributed to a network of fervent and devoted educators and learners across the nation. In this regard, the negative portrayal in the advertisement seems somewhat detached from the actual situation.
In addition, the advert categorises the piper as male, contradicting the notable spur in the number of female uilleann pipers lately. As evidence, Na Píobairí Uilleann has recently launched a delightful CD, Mná na bPíob, featuring seven astonishingly talented young female pipers. This album could bring immense joy to the distressed woman in the ad.
Despite her unease, she can take solace in the fact that uilleann piping stands as one of the two elements of Irish culture inscribed in the Unesco list of world intangible cultural heritage. The second one being the sport of hurling.
Yours faithfully,
CAOIMHIN Mac AOIDH,
Béal Átha Seanaigh,
Co Thír Chonaill.