Irish Bagpipes - Celtic Craftsmanship: Uilleann Pipes

Aodán "Jaff" Mac Seafraidh is an Uilleann Pipemaker based in Glengormley, N. Ireland. His work is inspired by Irish culture, music & tradition.
irishpipes.org/
Craft is a way of life for the artisans who create beautiful items based on Celtic tradition & history while continuing to hone and develop their skills. What does "craftsmanship" mean to them?
-- Instagram - / dajathwi
-- Twitter - / dajathwi
-- Facebook - / dajathwi
Enquiries: [e-mail]

[@darnick54]

Absolutely fascinating- as a Scot, I’ve loved the sound of the Irish pipes for years…..also very interested in the difference between the chanter finger movements of the uillean pipes and those of the “big” pipes. Many thanks for this first class presentation.

[@S.R.Jackson-v9v]

I’m so glad he mentioned bagpipe varieties being global. More people need to play more instruments IMHO.

[@phillipyates728]

Hi Adrian its me Phill Yates I'm still playing your set and recently purchased a set of David Goldsworthy pipes studying on line as well still practicing and enjoying every moment Thank you so much my friend All the best

[@irishmike137]

Jaff made a half set for me and I enjoying playing them almost everyday. A fine craftsman and super to work with during the process of having them made and even after I brought them home.

[@shaynewheeler9249]

Titanic engine cylinder engineering room

[@liamworthington5863]

This video is so soothing hearing this guy!. And I play bagpips...but I love Ullian pipes. Thank you 😊

[@davidhegarty3920]

Great work and dedicated efforts. Thanks.

[@tashbax8322]

This was such a pleasure to watch. What an inspiring Gent, I absolutely loved hearing about his dedication to the craft. In a world of mass production it was a breath of fresh air.

[@devon6482]

The Uilleann pipes are amazing and I am inclined to listen to Finbar Furey more than anyone else !

[@peterrollinson-lorimer]

A true artisan. Huge respect to you

[@NFOsec]

This certainly inspires me to continue on my learning journey and perhaps some day invest in Jaff's pipes. Amazing craftsmanship and great to see someone maintain the arts.

[@ianiforsyth2753]

What a true craftsman 👍👍

[@michaelcorrigan5232]

Thank you for keeping the craft going.. 🤗

[@resipsaloquitur13]

Magnificent story and life. Lord bless the maker of goodness of which no words are required. Well done, sir. Fine pipes they are.

[@Martin-tn5lm]

Very informative. Thank for sharing your skills. In Ireland we called Bagpipes (blown by the mouth) Píobai Choghaidh - War Pipes. We call the "sit down and play" pipes "Píobai Uilleann"-Elbow Pipes.

[@gregorynuttall]

Wonderful film. It's very lovely to dive deeper into this craftsmanship.

[@timryan8306]

I agree with the rest of the group. Very well produced video and heartwarming to hear from a true craftsman. It's nice hearing from people who still take pride in their work.

[@ronaldl9085]

amazing craftmanship!!

[@dengudomlige8644]

Great video! Of course everything must be louder in The States... Cheers from Sweden!

[@grasscutter1919]

One of my most favorite and moving sounds. Glad to know it’s history and a bit about one of the makers. Love to see true artists and craftsmen at work.

[@robertryan2542]

Fantastic. God bless. From Limerick.

[@tractorpoodle]

Superb, fascinating, and beautifully filmed.

[@Connorlowwhistle]

i wonder if someone will find his pipes in 200 years time then watch this video in high quality and think wow this video is 200 years old and i have the pipes this man was talking about !!

[@jerrycargill5062]

Great passion and earnestness. A well shot and produced film as well. Thanks for sharing!

[@jansrensen7582]

Thanks you. ❤❤❤❤bless you❤❤❤❤

[@AndieArbeit]

What a inspiring video... the ethics of that man in terms of craftmanship really reminds me of my old values, about making stuff or creating things that could resist pass of time. At this moment of my life i only play a few wind instruments but planning to expand further into the flutes/pipes section... Amazing video

[@tobinlamb9459]

I loved hearing about how bagpipe varieties truly being worldwide. Even the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, living in the Middle Eastern country, has a bagpipe band.

[@raider7829]

Excellent video. Its like a documentary, very enjoyable.

[@dajathwi]

Thank you, I'm glad you thought so!

[@raider7829]

@@dajathwi excellent 👌

[@Larry_Mott]

Nice to "see" you Aodán! Has Sam Murray passed? I think you said you *knew* him. I have bought two flutes from Sam and talked to him on a few occasions through the years. Cheers!

[@natspublicfilmingrights6990]

Even though I’m not Irish I still want to learn those pipes

[@jimobrien84]

You should. People play them all over the world. Na Píobairí Uilleann’s website has a directory that may help you find someone in your area to teach or help you. I have a set on order and have a couple guys lined up for lessons

[@chrismills2012]

well, I am English and even I am absolutely fascinated with them.

[@dublinpiper]

@@chrismills2012 Believe it or not, they developed in England at the same time. Baroque makers of woodwind instruments in London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Galway..... All shared and swapped ideas for this 'New Bagpipe' in the 1700s. Also known as the Pastoral pipes, played on both these islands. The grandfather of the Uilleanns. They then developed another wee bit into Union Pipes, but unfortunately started to fall out of use and popularity in Britain. The Irish kept them going, and now we have the Uilleann pipes of today, but they started life on both these islands.

[@johndoyle2397]

Such beautiful sound

[@sethwarner644]

Simply beautiful

[@lionharehart]

Downton Abbey Series 5 Episode 9 brought me here. Thirty minutes into the episode their dinner in Scotland is accompanied by an Uilleann pipe. It's a beautiful instrument.

[@georgehill9959]

You didn't notice the contradiction?

[@dominiclapinta8537]

I found me a vendor that makes good synthetic reeds for Uilleann pipes. It helps me because, until I save up enough, I am able to play the pipe Chanter and it be in tune and beautiful.

[@verdatum]

I made my own set of David Daye style "penny-chanter" pipes, where it's made from stacks of brass tube instead of a bored piece of wood. I'd like to get more serious into traditional pipemaking. Those chanter reeds really are the hard part though; especially trying to make a reed that plays well in more arid environments. Reedmaking actually got me into blacksmithing, just so that I could make the proper gouges needed to make the shape.

[@sharonbarry8878]

Lovely. It's a shame we couldn't hear them. Is there a place we can?

[@dajathwi]

Jaff would often play small shows around Belfast and beyond, and one of his trad groups was featured in an RTE broadcast, if I remember right. Might be worth getting in touch with him through his website to see if he has any recordings or shows you can listen to! www.irishpipes.org/contact

[@SoundtheTrumpet2023]

Would love to learn this!

[@oliveroneill1388]

Do it . And never turn back

[@chrismills2012]

I would have thought the way the chanter is made is very much the same as how the Northumbrian pipes are made. They have a keyed chanter as well.

[@SeanBunting-qp6sb]

Great stuff....wink

[@jackdoherty7507]

How can i get in touch with Aodán? I've sent a few emails, through his website, but theres no response?

[@oliveroneill1388]

Lovely work and interview, well done. Respect from kilkenny and Galway

[@Bobbyo60]

Jaff, I am of the clan O’Neill of Shane’s castle. My 5 time Great Grandfather Hugh O’Neill was born there and then immigrated to America. Is it possible to purchase a set of your pipes? I am 75 years old and want my Grandchildren to continue knowing their heritage.

[@dajathwi]

Hi, thanks for your interest in my video! Jaff isn't on KZbin, but you can contact him about his pipes through the form on his website: www.irishpipes.org/contact

[@liamworthington5863]

This sounds like a $5000 job...wow!

[@georgehill9959]

You forgot to mention that they did not originate in Ireland. Called Union Pipes before Uilleann, but that name wouldn't do of course.

[@ugomorisset5913]

Well I guess when you'll be making a video about a pianist maker their will be Uillean pipes all along the video... I didn't watch 'till the end because of that., I did jump but couldn't find a timing when you can hear his pipes sounding... Is their one actually ?

[@GordonClare]

😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@thatguy928]

Pipes be ‘illin

[@tinadipaulo1602]

Wait... That's how you pronounce it??? Oh boy have I been saying it wrong for 20+ years. Lol.

[@johnmc3862]

Maith an fear.

[@jonstarbird8484]

Not Celtic, just Irish