Correspondence, catalogues, instruction manuals and receipts relating to the purchase of a music typewriter from the Music Print Corporation, New York by Na Píobairí Uilleann. Also included is a letter to Mr P. Glackin (Glackin, Paddy), Traditional Music Officer, Arts Council, [Dublin] relating to grants awarded to Na Píobairí Uilleann & the Folk Music Society for the ‘cost of the musicwriter’ and ‘cost of laying out the Goodman mss’ and the ‘cost of preparing the Petrie mss for printers.’ (5 May 1981)
Letters, notices and articles sent to Breandán Breathnach relating to the society’s newsletter An Píobaire. Most of the material dates to the early 1970s including an article and illustration from Ronnie Wathen (Wathen, Ronnie, 1934-1993), Es Cloí, Deyá, Mallorca entitled ‘Beginning the pipes: a personal note’ (10 Nov 1970); ‘Latest News Snippets from Pat McNulty’, Glasgow’ (May 1972) and a retraction statement from Theodor Podnos, New Jersey, U.S.A ‘Theodor Podnos regrets the erroneous statement made in his lecture of June 19, 1972 concerning the tunings of modern Highland chanters’ (30 April 1973). Also included are two copies of An Píobaire Nov [1977] and May 1982.
Letters, documents and posters relating to the organisation of piping Tionól, workshops and concerts. Notice of ‘Second annual autumn meeting of NPU on Saturday the 8th of November... in Brú na Gael, Dublin’ [1969]. Included are letters from the Irish Countrywomen’s Association, An Grianán, Termonfechin [Termonfeckin], Drogheda, Co Louth relating to the ‘Annual Conference of Na Píobairí Uilleann, May 1971’, ‘May 1972’ and 18 May 1973. A programme of events for ‘An Tionol Piobaireachta 1973, An Grianan, Termonfeckin, Co Louth’; also letters from Kieran Crinion, Neptune Hotel, Bettystown, Co Meath relating to the the pipers’ Tionól, Bettystown 20 May 1976. Letters from Séamus MacMathúna, Wexford to Breandán Breathnach about an event in [Wexford] Arts Centre on the 29 April 1978; also an undated [1970s ?] letter from C.B.S., Limerick to Breandán Breathnach about the ‘Seanchas’ event where ‘25 trainee cadets are coming down specially from the Curragh to this session.’ Also included are undated draft posters for an event ‘Pipes & Fiddles’ with ‘Seamus Ennis (Ennis, Séamus, 1919-1982), John Kelly (Kelly, John, 1912-1987), Sean Keane, Paddy Maloney [Paddy Moloney] and Guests.’
This file relates to the various premises of Na Píobairí Uilleann including 44 Parnell Sq, Dublin 1; 32 East Essex St, Dublin 2; and 15 Henrietta St, Dublin 1. It includes receipts, rent notices, architect reports, electricity bills, public liability policy for 32 Essex Street, Dublin 2 and invitations to various dignitaries to the opening of Na Píobairí Uilleann’s new headquarters at 32 East Essex Street on 24 October 1975. Also included is correspondence between the Property Department, Dublin Corporation and Breandán Breathnach relating to the demolition of 32 East Essex Street ‘following an inspection the Chief Architect has advised that the premises has deteriorated considerably during the past 2 years, the roof is beyond repair, that the days of this premises are numbered and the cost of maintaining it even for a limited time is totally unacceptable’ (30 June 1977). Also included are documents relating to the rent of Na Píobairí Uilleann premises by other organisations including Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and the Folk Music Society of Ireland. Originally included in an envelope marked 'Gemma' is correspondence and photographs relating to the purchase / donation of a mahogany Georgian fireplace from Newry and Mourne Co-Operative Society for the organisation’s new premises [in Henrietta Street, Dublin].
Originally in a file marked 'NPU [Na Píobairí Uilleann] Exhibition' includes both original & draft correspondence to and from Breandán Breathnach, relating to the exhibition ‘Pipes and Piping’ and its mounting in various locations across Ireland including the Willie Clancy Summer School, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare; Muckross House, Killarney, Co. Kerry; Ulster Museum, Belfast; also included are press releases, exhibition catalogues, invitations, and press cuttings. Letters from Máirtín Talty, Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, Miltown Malbay, Co Clare; David Hammond, 25 Downshire Rd, Cregagh, Belfast; Mr E. Myers, Manager, Muckross House, Killarney; Dinah Molloy, 77 Wood St, Barnet, Herts, England; Dave Williams, Uilleann Pipes & Flutes, 26 Spring Gardens, Newark, Notts; draft and original correspondence between Kathleen White, Secretary Cultural Relations Committee, Department of Foreign Affairs, Dublin 2 and Breandán Breathnach; draft and original correspondence between Bill Ochs, 467 W 46th St, New York and Breandán Breathnach; letter from Mícheál Ó Riabhaigh (Ó Riabhaigh, Mícheál, 1911-1976), Cathaoirleach, Cumann na bPíobairí Uileann [Uilleann] Corcaigh, 7 St Anne’s Drive, Montenotte Park, Cork to Liam McNulty, Na Píobairí Uileann [Uilleann], 15 Henrietta St, Dublin 1; ‘Brochure of Piping Exhibition: Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy 1974’; exhibition catalogue ‘Pipes and Piping held at C.B.S. Theatre, Sexton Street, Limerick on Saturday 12th October 1974’; draft exhibition display cards; entry form for ‘Museum's Special Exhibition Award 1980’; receipts, accommodation information, press release and various ephemera relating to exhibition. Letters and correspondence relate to the mounting of the piping exhibition at the Willie Clancy Summer School, Muckross House and Ulster Museum. There is further correspondence about the possibility of mounting the exhibition in Cork, and at the ‘Sense of Ireland festival, [and] in various centres in the United States in 1981’. Also included is an Ulster Museum press release announcing the ‘First Uilleann Pipe Concert in Ulster Museum’ featuring ‘the most distinguished pipers in Ireland’ including ‘Peter Browne, Lonan Byrne, Gerry McFadden, Liam Og O’Flynn and Trevor Stewart’.
One complete set of handwritten minutes for a meeting held in Ely Place on 24 Oct 1970. ‘A general meeting, Breandán Breathnach presided, about 35 present. The first thing was a minutes silence in respect of the memory of Leo Rowsome’ (Rowsome, Leo, 1903-1970); it also includes an undated fragment of minutes; a letter from Paddy Moloney to Breandán Breathnach offering apologies that he won’t be able to attend meeting on 21 Oct 1972; an original master-copy of Na Píobairí Uilleann’s headed notepaper; a copy of an announcement of the establishment of Na Píobairí Uilleann; and a copy of the society’s rules.
Letters from Aidan Walsh, BA Curator, Monaghan County Museum, The Courthouse, Monaghan to Breandán Breathnach; exhibition catalogue ‘Pipes and Piping: An exhibition from Na Piobairi Uilleann, Dublin. Monaghan County Museum, October 7 - November 3 1977’; and copies of newspaper clipping relating to the exhibition from ‘The Anglo Celt’, ‘The Northern Standard’ and ‘The Argus’. Letters relating to the mounting of the piping exhibition in Monaghan County Museum. Aidan Walsh wrote that the exhibition was ‘well received’ and that ‘our daily attendance averaged 50 throughout the exhibition which was an increase on our normal October level’ (21 Nov 1977).
Letter from Eamonn Fitzgerald, c/o Michael Ó Ciarán, Glasleac, Shercock, Co Cavan; draft letter from Breandán Breathnach to Donal McGahan, Foras Eireann, Fitzwilton House, Wilton Place, Dublin 2; and original & draft correspondence between Breandán Breathnach and Janet Allan, Administrative Assistant, Carnegie United Kingdom Trust, Comely Park House, Dunfermline. The letter from Eamonn Fitzgerald describes the apprenticeship which he is serving with 80 year old pipe maker Michael Ó Ciaraín in Cavan. He lists a number of other pipe makers in the country including Alf & Moss Kennedy. He refers to the financial problems which have been faced by Ó Ciaraín ‘he has made a good few sets of pipes in his time and some good ones too. However he was always hampered by lack of money trying to make a living on a 15 acre farm in Cavan is not easy’ Fitzgerald is asking Na Píobairí Uilleann to ‘endorse my work if I could make good pipes’ he has managed to ‘get a grant of £1000 per year for 3 years from the Carnegie Trust’ (21 Jul 1976). Breathnach writes to Mr Donal McGahan, Foras Eireann, saying that Na Píobairí Uilleann would be willing ‘to act as intermediary in the payment of the grand which the Carnegie Trust awarded him [Eamonn Fitzgerald] to enable him to study uilleann pipe making’ (15 Aug 1977).
Letters from Ronnie Wathen; Brendan Saunders, Derry; David O’Docherty, London; Theodor Podnos; Pat McNulty; John Curry; Willie Reynolds (Reynolds, Willie, 1916-2003); draft letters from Breandán Breathnach to Seán Reid (Reid, Seán, 1907-1978); correspondence between Breandán Breathnach and ‘Mr E. H. Tupling’, London; letters from Patrick Farrell, Dublin 4; Tom Sheridan, London; Roisín White, Warrenpoint, Co Down; Seán McGuire, Cavan. Includes correspondence between Breandán Breathnach and Doirín Clancy [widow of Willie Clancy (Clancy, Willie, 1935-2009)] which refers to tapes of Willie Clancy’s playing and getting copies of these recordings made for various people for a Claddagh Records LP.
Letters from Roderick D. Cannon; Mick Farrell, Melbourne; Séamus [Ennis] (Ennis, Séamus, 1919-1982); Sammy Wade, Antrim; Ciss Talty, Miltown Malbay, Co Clare; Robbie Hannan; Eilish Moore, Dublin suggesting a presentation to Seamus Ennis should take place ‘Recently Seamus Ennis played in the venue and he moved me so much that I feel compelled to do something for this gentleman. It has been suggested to me by various musicians that a public presentation should be made to this gentleman in appreciation for his contribution to Irish Music’ (26 May 1977); letter from C.I.H. Bayley, Teddington, Middlesex, who is making ‘uilleann and Northumbrian Pipes as a hobby’ he is looking for information ‘on the construction of extra regulators’ includes five diagrams (1 June 1977); letter from James T. McGuire Jr, Evanston, Illinois, who is carrying out research on ‘chief Francis O’Neill (O’Neill, Francis, 1848-1936) and other Chicago Musicians, especially pipers’ (17 Oct 1977); letter from Padraig Ó Fearail enclosing a copy of the programme for ‘Éigse Mhantáin, Royal Starlight Hotel, Bray October 7/8, 1977’ (23 Oct 1977).
