This series relates to the uilleann piping organisation Na Píobairí Uilleann which was founded in 1968. The majority of the papers relate to the early years of the organisation from 1968–1978, when Breandán Breathnach was chairman. A large amount of the correspondence is addressed to the chairman’s home address, 47 Frascati Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. There are also letters addressed to other committee members including secretary, Brian Vallely and Terry Moylan. The objectives of the organisation are to ‘promote and encourage the playing of the uilleann pipes; to collect and preserve music for the instrument in any manner considered feasible by the council; to assemble materials and carry out research on the history of the pipes and pipers; to issue from time to time publications about piping and the affairs of the association; to spread the knowledge of reed making and to promote the making of pipes.’ (BBR-18712/5/2). The series is divided into three subseries, the first contains some financial and administrative documents relating to various NPU premises and to specialist equipment acquired by the organisation. The objectives of the organisation are reflected in the second subseries ‘Activities’ with documents relating to the society’s bulletin An Píobaire; the music competition, Feis Ceoil; letters relating to the organisation of some of the early Tionól [Pipers’ Gatherings]; the piping exhibition Pipes and Piping, which was exhibited around the country in various locations; and documents relating to proposals sent to Gaeltarra Éireann, Shannon Development and The Carnegie United Kingdom Trust for grant aid to assist in setting up pipe makers in business. The final subseries, ‘General Correspondence 1969-1982’, contains letters from many uilleann pipers active in the society in the 1970s.
Letters, typescripts, newspaper clippings, draft programme notes and ephemera relating to various solo recordings, compositions, commissions and publications produced by Derek Bell over his lifetime. The majority of the material dates from the late 1980s and the 1990s. Material relating to The Chieftains’ recordings can be found in the subseries The Chieftains (DBE-239678/4/2).
Originally in a file marked ‘Seán Ó Riada’ (Ó Riada, Seán, 1931-1971) these documents seem to have once belonged to Len Clifford, Seapoint Avenue, Blackrock, Dublin, a solicitor who worked in the administrative section of Gael Linn Records, Grafton Street, Dublin 2. Clifford set up a talent agency in the early 1970s, his primary client was Seán Ó Riada.
Series comprises audio recordings on digital audio tape and reel-to-reel tape. The DATs were recorded by Jimmy O'Brien Moran at concerts in 2005 and 2006, including an event commemorating Séamus Ennis at the Séamus Ennis Centre, in Naul, Co. Dublin, and a concert at Castalia Hall in Kilkenny. The reel-to-reel tape in this series was made for Jimmy O'Brien Moran by Breandán Breathnach and includes a learning resource for students of Irish and dubs from cylinder recordings.
Letter from Paddy Doaley of the Welsh School of Violin-making (1983) including tune of Ed Reavy. Letter from Mick O’Connor re Potts’ decision to not be involved in archival project. Letters to Paddy Maloney including musings on folk music and musicians of the time. (7 June 1972). Letters to and from Michael O’Sullivan [Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin] at Music Department UCC.
‘My Lagan Love’ by Joseph Campbell, handwritten by Nellie Doyle (April 1973) and typed copy attached. Also includes song entitled “Hennessey’s ‘The Lodger’” in Potts’ hand.
