Killarney vs Lir - Tin Whistle Comparison

[@Michajeru]

I have a Killarney and really love it. I also have arthritic hands, I'm 82 years old, and I have no problem at all with the weightier head of the Killarney. In fact I prefer the sturdier feel. As for tone, I think the Killarney is tops.

[@psychesonic1]

The Lir tugged at my heart strings, so I would go with that. But it all depends on context. Soft tunes often want a soft sound.

[@yiannidemo6587]

This is great. I was thinking “softer” as well when you mentioned how the sound comes across. Very good comparison - I think you touched on everything that matters when pitting two whistles against each other.

[@Elglarad]

For me, the criterion for any instrument is niceness. If I can play a single note and somebody says "I like that sound" without prompting, then my choice becomes clearer. The one that does it for me is my John Sindt, followed by my Michael Burke whistles, and then my Killarney whistles. I was traveling from Cork to Dingle when we stopped in Killarney and I came across a session. Someone asked me if I had heard of or tried a locally made Killarney whistle, and pulled one out for me to try. I could see straight away that it was modeled on the Sindt. I ended up with a nickle whistle from Custys, and a brass whistle from a later Fleadh. I find them easy to play and tune, but I'll use a Michael Burke at a session where I have three box players sitting alongside of me, or a noisy background. I am unable to compare it to a Lir, because i haven't tried one, but from what I've heard on youtube, they would be a contender. The weight and balance of a whistle is not an issue for me, though I do have to be able to grip it properly and not slip in my hands. I think the bottom line for anyone is whether they like the sound and playability of an instrument. Thanks for the video.

[@inkyblue6452]

I got my very first tin whistle some days ago and its a Killarney :) Thank you very much for this nice video :) like the sound of the Killarney much more

[@usernamemykel]

UPDATE: After a year of LIR ownership, I REALLY like it, and that's to say that it is cuddled up next to my Sindt, my other 14 whistles set aside.

[@tim6151]

Thank you for your videos. I am new to tin whistling and learning a lot from you. Your teaching and examples are really easy for me to follow. As far as the Killarney and Lir go, maybe I'm still too new, but I can hardly tell the difference. They both sound great. Thanks for another excellent video. 😊 After gaining more experience playing the tin whistle and listening to a lot more traditional Irish music, I can actually the difference between these two whistles. Personally, I prefer the Killarney. To my ear, the Killarney sounds slightly better in the second octave. The Lir sounds great, but it seems to have a more "breathy" sound in the second octave than the Killarney. Interesting enough, the Lir has a more mellow and slightly more clear sound in the first octave, but it's barely noticeable. I'm not sure about that silver plating on the Lir. I think I would feel like I would have to polish it after I played it each time. Not sure if I want to do that, but silver looks terrible when it gets tarnished.

[@brennanroth7980]

I have to say the Killarney did SOUND ever so slightly better to me. That's just my subjective opinion and I'm admittedly someone who likes the more traditional sounding whistles. The gold standard whistle sounds to me are those 60s and 70s albums by people like the Chieftains, Mary Bergin, Micho Russel, Donncha O'Briain, and Planxty. I think the sound of the Killarney is closer to that than the Lir, but even the Killarney doesn't quite sound like the old Generations. I also personally prefer the look of the brass better than the nickel and I like that the pins stick out slightly on the side as it keeps the whistle from rolling off a table! Full disclosure: I actually own a Killarney so it could be confirmation bias!

[@whistletutor]

Ooo, the point about not rolling off the table is a great one - can't believe I never thought of that!

[@brennanroth7980]

@@whistletutor It's just a little design feature that I find extremely useful! I remember someone mentioning it years ago as the one thing they actually think Killarney did to improve the design over John Sindt, because as I recall the Sindts have flush pins.

[@frankclaudy1031]

I have been a committed Sindt player for a long time now, have every key he makes, but I do like the Lir, remarkable value for the money, and the Wild is quite a good whistle as well, similar heavy barrel but the head-joint is different, produces a hoarser tone, like the best of the old Generations. I enjoy your channel.

[@wgandy9541]

Great comparison video! Thanks for making it. I have a Sindt high D and I consider it my standard to judge all other D's (that's just my opinion and I'm not forcing it on anyone else). I've owned a Kilarny C and consider its playing characteristics similar to the Sindt. I've not owned a Lir so I can't comment on how they play. To me sound is the most important. I have whistles in many keys High Eb down to Low C) from various makers (Sindt, McManus, Burke, Overton, MK, Howard, Karavaev, McNeela, Generation, Feadog and Walton). Each has a character of its own. I just adjust to them and get great enjoyment from them all. As I mentioned, the sound is most important to me. If I don't like the sound then I don't bother with the whistle. The Lir to me sounds too airy for my taste and thus I would pick the Kilarney over the Lir.

[@cathytai]

My first whistle, which got me here to begin, with is the Walton no one reviews, lol, the promo beer whistle I won't name. I'm wondering if reviews are forbidden by the company it represents, lol. Anyway, as awful as it probably is, I love it in my own special way because, well, now I am smitten with this entire lovely whistle hobby. (By the way, I bet someone here could make even this whistle sound good. 😉)

[@annewright5096]

I have a Killarney. The weight in the head joint- no problem. Balance, no problem. I would find the heavier weight of the Lir an issue, personally.

[@giorgiolamborghini813]

I like the Killarney very much, it reminds me of a Generation when you have the great fortune to buy one at the highest level. Even the Lìr is not joking, it is excellent, however in the low register (perhaps it was a bit clogged by condensation) I found it a bit "uncertain" which I did not find in the high register perhaps due to the greater thrust of the air.

[@derrik-bosse]

I would play the Kilarney live to get over a band (especially modern bands who seem to be obsessed with amps). For recording and acoustic playing, I would use the Lir.

[@douglange6863]

I always preferred a rounder sound and played a conical bore but would never cut through the mix. After some research, I decided on the LIR, which has a rounder tone and can cut through the mix better. It’s funny you mention the weight of the Lir. I also play sax and enjoy the freedom of the weightlessness of my Lir compared to a soprano sax:-)

[@soundoflifersc2297]

Very interesting! The Lir is the one I'd go with also. The sound is much more rounded, and clearer in a soft way. Thank you!

[@eddiemackinnon528]

I have few Killarney whistles and really enjoy playing them by the way the pin in the head is a design which means the whistle does not roll around great in a session

[@irishflutegirl9022]

Both sound lovely, Killarney definitely sounded more trad… the lir sounded a little airy and softer, but very beautiful. Probably is just preference. I have a Killarney , i love it, but i also love my Burke, depends what i feel like lol. Thanks for the video ! 😃

[@forestgrove4193]

I've had a Killarney for a while, and just got a Lir today. My kitchen scale gives the Killarney D 58 grams and the Lir D 97 grams. it is quite a different feel between the two whistles. I love them both. The Killarney D has the tinniest bit of a bur to the tone, and the Lir has a rounder sound (about half-way between the Killarney and a Tony Dixon polymer). It's a matter of preference and for me it depends on my mood. I was worried about the weight of the Lir, but strangely, I find it more stable in my hand than the Killarney, and playing a C# without a stabilizing pinkie (I must have a short pinkie since it's hard for me to do), it felt much more stable, less likely to slip. The holes are for some reason the slightest bit easier to cover by my small fingers than the Killarney. Probably insignificant. I would be completely happy with either, and to be honest, having both is probably a bit excessive.

[@ArcadioJacobino]

Thanks for these comparison videos (and thanks everyone for your comments) - problem is they all sound great and are coming through your mic, my 30 Euro headphones and whatever lies between so how they would compare down the pub is a guess. Played clarinet and tenor & soprano sax, now learning flute & recorder and getting totally distracted with my ancient, tweaked and beautiful Shaw D. Got a Kerry Busker last week - man, that thing's brutal. Now after a civilised jam session whistle and the short list is down to these two. Probably. Leaning towards the Killarney.

[@cathytai]

So does that mean you love or hate the Busker?

[@ArcadioJacobino]

@@cathytai I've had it for 4 months now and love it. That said, when it arrived a couple of the notes were buzzy. Turned out the airway was full of aluminium dust, in fact the whole thing was filthy and took ages to scrub out with alcohol then detergent. The finger holes were a bit sharp edged so I sanded them off to make slides and half-holes easier. The lower octave is full and rich but top A and above break unless you chuck enough air down the pipe to make it scream. The Busker has become my every day carry, the snubby magnum of the whistle world. It's strongly built, comes in a protective case, can be played in a fairly stiff breeze and the large finger holes make semitones easy.

[@michaelrs8010]

Thanks for the video. 👍 I've been vacillating for some time now over which one to get and as a result of this video I still cannot decide. 😄 Maybe the comment section will help. 😁

[@GreyMasker]

This was a really helpful review and got me to decide on the killarney for my first more expensive whistle. The side-by-side play was great because I have a number of much cheaper whistles and I find I like the sharper/chirpier/more raw whistles like the killarney over the softer/rounder/sweeter tones that some others have.

[@nlkgksadnpqsengfp]

Thank you for the video. I actually own an Eb Lir (which I got with your discount code, thanks again) and even though I like it i find it not too easy to tune it. In particular, the G (the F# in the D whistle) is particularly lower than the other notes.

[@georgebenz4505]

Sounded to me like the Lir was clearer in the lower octave, the Killarney in the upper. They sounded to be of about equal volume? I play (and swear by) a Sindt D - suitably chiff sound, and the upper octave projects well in a session. However, when banjo, bodhran, and box are blasting away, the lower octave is a lost cause- I can barely hear myself playing down there (typical of most tin whistles, other than a Copeland or Susato, maybe a Burke session?) . For that reason I am in the market for a slightly louder whistle. More important than weight balance, how is the air requirement in general, and the adjustment from lower to upper octaves comparison? Thx for the reviews.

[@fatheroblivion45]

Nice video. Never owned or played a Lir but I do own a brass Killarney. I was a little concerned at first when my Killarney arrived at how top heavy it was, but... 1) I never found that to be a problem with playing it. 2) It would double nicely as a cudgel in a bar fight Based on your video alone, I prefer the sound of the Lir, but I am chuffed at the money the Killarney saved me on buying a shillelagh ;) Every cloud eh?

[@whistletutor]

I've got a Low F for that very purpose - one can get some good angular momentum with an aluminum bat of that size :)

[@fatheroblivion45]

@@whistletutor Gives “F…. you!” a whole new meaning. 😂

[@annewright5096]

The Killarney is a lot lighter than the Wild or the Lir. I have D and C Killarney. Was put off initially by the review from Cutie Pie on KZbin because of the emphasis on the weight. I have had issues with tendonitis, and the Killarney is absolutely fine. Wish I had bought one sooner..would have saved a lot of money!

[@brandondavis6246]

I have WAD (whistle acquisition disorder). My Copeland's, MacManus, Freeman's, Sweet's, Talmage etc are all awesome! But those sound great too. 🎶😊

[@twiglet2214]

With synths i have GAS but it looks like i could end up with WAD too if i'm not careful - which could be a bit of a blow !

[@mccypr]

I have both Whistles. My super amateur self is going to do a comparison. Great video! Thanks! 😎

[@markarcher4695]

I borrowed a Killarney in D recently and I struggled with the C nat. I couldn't get it to play in tune. I tried various fingerings but no improvement. I have heard this mentioned this in other reviews.

[@JohnRamos-v3t]

Have you tried half covering the b note? I don't have any problems with the c natural. On my Killarney. I just love my brass Killarney whistle...

[@PaulaMBhagyam]

Are there any high D or high C whistles that don't sound squacky in the higher registers? I like the high whistles but not so fond of the notes in the higher register.

[@Dead-Eye]

Nice video, cheers. I have both Killarney and Lir in D and a Wild in C. I think they're all good instruments and I have no strong preference between them. They all have slight variations in tone but still a certain species resemblance. I've never played a genuine Sindt but I guess that general similarity is in the DNA (or whatever the brass equivalent is). The Wild is the hardest to compare as I only have that in the C, not a D, but do find that one needs more breath and control to work that 2nd octave cleanly. The Killarney and Lir come out pretty neck and neck for me as instruments, each having its quirks that either appeal or don't. I wish Lir had done a version with the heavier tube but in unplated natural brass as I prefer the less bling appearance. As for peripheral considerations, Lir has recently been a bit of a nightmare to deal with - they've had really long delays in getting whistles out to people and very poor communication (voice of experience here). But, obviously the most important factor is that the Killarney has the best carry pouch, lol.

[@Bankoru]

Awesome stuff. I see that's the non-engraved Killarney, I think I've seen mentioned that they changed in sound on their newer model, whether they're better or not I have no clue. I have an engraved Killarney and have always been wondering if Lir or Wild is better aside from preferences.

[@annewright5096]

I found the Wild D heavy -it's about the same weight as the Lir. I didn't dind it easy to hold, too me the finish was a little slippy, but that may be down to the eeight of the whistle. Sold it for a Killarney, which a I prefer the sound of, and the brass finish is easier to hold, also with less weight.

[@jofftalbot1348]

Dude. Thanks for this, really appreciate the time put in. If I may, I personally rate the Lír over pretty much all the other whistles in the collection (Gary Humphreys pending 🙃). It's a touch on the quiet side when wanting to blast a tune out with the class but that also makes for an exceptional 'homework' whistle - which is most the time. Anyhoo, thank you Sean, great vid 🖖🏽

[@foybert]

I haven't played a Lir whistle yet, but I like my Killarney pretty well. In comparison I think I prefer the Killarney's focused sound a little bit more. Also, the little nubs on the Killarney head are good to keep it from rolling off the table 😉 (Now is see someone else already made that point...ah well.)

[@jamesdominicmusic4632]

Both sound pretty good... interesting video ...Thankyou

[@jimm4905]

That was an interesting comparison. When you played the scale, I preferred the Lir. When you played the song, I preferred the Killarney 🤔

[@ecco256]

The Lyr sounded a bit more muffled to me, I really prefer the sound of the Killarney. More "direct" for sure :)

[@seanrichardson6813]

Great to have a non partisan review. Thanks for doing this. Swinging towards Killarney, no Lir, no Killarney.... eek

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

You put that together very well and as well as informative it was very entertaining. I think like you the Lir would be the one if I ever had the kite to spare. 😎🎶✅

[@usernamemykel]

My John Sindt wasn't very expensive a few decades ago when I bought a new "D" from him for $60, but that was before he became super famous and his waiting list was 2 years long... Still have it, still love it, won't sell it!

[@yiannidemo6587]

I will say I’ve never played either, but from what you’ve said here, I think I’m leaning toward Lír as well.

[@lacostecyril4482]

J'aimerais essayer un Killarney. Est-ce possible ?

[@chrishinks46]

I prefer the LIR. It does seem to have a rounder tone.

[@wilshawlynnstevens2980]

Hello! Is this the silver plated lir or the older chrome plated lir?

[@whistletutor]

Great question - that video was made prior to the silver-plated version so that'll be the chrome ones

[@dentReviews]

how is the control, half notes, slides, etc. vs the killarney? my killarney Bb is my favorite whistle of all my whistles because of it's play-ability and control. is the lir similar?

[@whistletutor]

I would say they're similar - the tone is somewhat different but the breath control and all that is comparable which makes sense since they're both based on the same design.

[@michaelrs8010]

Hard to tell from the video, but; which one is louder? Or maybe "louder". Meaning even though one might be, they're so close as it makes no practical difference.

[@lauracrevel6078]

Hi, thanks for the video. I play a Wild and struggle a lot with the ear pressure I get to be able to play the second octave. What whistle would you recommand to get second octave really easily please ? Thank you !

[@whistletutor]

Wild, Killarney, Humphrey, Lir, Burke - they're all going to be pretty similar, reliable, and consistent in the upper octave, generally speaking. The main thing that I can suggest is to spend time in the upper octave - holding notes, transitioning between notes and particularly jumping from lower-to-higher octave notes - as that's really the best way to know exactly how much air is required for your specific whistle, and to get to the point where you don't have to think about it, just hit it.

[@urosmarjanovic663]

Killarney is far away best value for money starter/intermediate whistle. Doesn't cut through live sessions, but range is awesome. Also, given that it has thinner wall, ornaments are not as pronounced.

[@ShaneMcFerran_]

Can you make this a series? And the have the semi finals then the finals. To find the ultimate tin whistle?

[@whistletutor]

Hahah well I kinda did that already before I got some new whistles kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWjWd2p4pcyLn9U

[@houstoncreativemedia]

I got a Killarney a few years ago. I’ve always thought it sounded a little harsh. I usually play a Burke session high d but it can’t hit the third octave d without screeching. The Killarney can do it easily but seems slight out of tune as you go up the scale. Thanks for the Lir comparison. Just what I was looking for.

[@danasullivan8598]

The Lir sounded better in the first octave, the Killarney in the second. As a former trumpet player, balance and weight don’t mean anything for me. I love my Killarney. But playing outdoors I usually play a Galeon tweaked Faedog, because it’s louder.

[@MrBass4art]

Got a question have you ever made a pcv pipe flute or tin whistle yourself? If you did can talk about your experience of making your own instruments.

[@whistletutor]

I haven't and that's mostly because I shouldn't be anywhere near power tools. I have a very specific set of skills, and crafting things isn't among them hahah

[@usernamemykel]

Ordered my LIR high "D" today - it'll meet it's cousins, first John Sindt, Dixon, etc., etc., etc., and many more etc's!!!!!!!!!! I thought that I was FINISHED buying holey tubes, but heck no, they got me again!! "Holey tubes, Batman"!!!!!!!!!

[@michaelrs8010]

Has anybody heard anything about problems when ordering from Lir lately?

[@whistletutor]

I have indeed heard that and I hope the problems aren't affecting too many folks - I'm assuming they've been hit by the same supply chain issues that have affected other industries but that's just a guess.

[@chrishinks46]

The LIR is more mellow, to my ear

[@maxencedezelus4122]

Killarney : 6:03 Lir : 6:19

[@sheepcopy]

I have to say I preferred how the Killarney sounds even though that roundness of the Lir was quite nice. That'll probably be the whistle I upgrade to once I improve more. Thanks for the wonderful videos

[@Bankoru]

I wish Killarney had an A version, Wild/Lir A is heavy as hell.

[@whistletutor]

Gary Humphrey ftw :)

[@whosdabigboy]

They do.

[@WildBoreWoodWind]

For what it is worth, I prefered the Lir, it had a fuller, rounder tone - I found the Killarney, quite shrill and hard to listen to - to each his own.

[@BykerMyk]

It’s late but I laughed everytime he said B hole… 😂

[@bonenfant96]

Tha comparaison is too short I think. Otherwise, you would have known that if you're a bit of a wet player, you can't play a whole tune with the Killarney.

[@davewebster6945]

Very interesting observation about the Killarney whistles clogging up quickly with saliva, I wonder if there is a specific reason Killarneys clog up fast beside the obvious reason of excessive saliva production from the player whereas other makes dont seem to suffer this ? It must be to do with the airway but exactly what seeing as this design is almost universal for lots of tunable whistles now 🤔.

[@bonenfant96]

@@davewebster6945 I know. But with my other whistles, even the cheap ones, I don't get that problem.

[@davewebster6945]

@@bonenfant96 The only thing that is obviously different on Killarneys is the rather rough looking machining on the top of the angled brass blade. If this is causing unoticeable turbulence that is not causing a problem when the airway is relatively dry when first playing the whistle but then once some moisture has built up in the airway then the turbulence that causes may conjointly be increasing the overall turbulence and causing a total breakdown of the airflow and causing the horrendously annoying problem. It drives me nuts as whistle sounds superb until that point then it becomes a total disaster !!!

[@bonenfant96]

@@davewebster6945 I had a nickel one and bought a brass one because someone told me it was better. It was not. Then I had a deal on a Bb, too heavy. So I sold all 3 . Now I have a Wild and a Lir and I have no clogging problems. Yes !

[@davewebster6945]

@@bonenfant96 I have recently bought a Wild too and Im not sure I like the sound of it or the weight, it doesnt clog as easy as the Killarney though but Im persevering with it anyways 👍.

[@davidhill1634]

You should get one

[@giorgiolamborghini813]

Today I ordered the LiR in D directly from the manufacturer, I first asked about the timing, pointing out the many complaints about delays; they assured me that they have solved these problems and that next Thursday (in 3 days) it will be shipped to me and then it will have to be delivered in Italy, where I live. If you're interested, I'll let you know when it arrives!

[@whistletutor]

Please do, I'm sure there will be plenty who are interested to know if the problems are indeed solved

[@RPFitz]

Did it arrive😂 do you like it?

[@giorgiolamborghini813]

@@RPFitz Yes, it arrived even though the time for receipt was not very short, but the patience paid off because it has exceptional quality.

[@tonyadams6375]

I liked the Lir better.

[@us-Bahn]

The Lir was better in tune with itself.

[@michaelrs8010]

Well, good news and bad news. The good news, especially for the Lir people and fans, I just saw a fresh video on CutiePie's Channel where they explained their problems from last year and how they have since been able to now I mostly extricate themselves from them. The bad news, for me, is that I had been looking for a decent high D whistle, but my discretionary spending is limited to about $100. And because of the horror stories I had heard from late last year I had written Lir off. No matter because I had a medical emergency with my dog anyway which dug into my finances. Fast forward to now; With Lir out of the picture, or so I thought, I had pretty much settled on a Killarney or a Wild and thanks to some very nice people on a Facebook page I was very close to making a decision. But now, with Lir fully back in the game, the vacillation starts anew 😄 Therefore, I have decided there's nothing else for it. I will simply have to win the lottery so I will not have to be bogged down with considerations like discretionary spending and I can buy whatever whistle I want willy-nilly.

[@whistletutor]

I certainly can't speak for everyone's experience but I know that shipping woes have affected seemingly every industry in every country. It sounds like things are improving, both with Lir and with global shipping in general, and I hope that continues!

[@moshdeenotabot]

That's a huge Johnson

[@sherylh4780]

The Lir sounded more full bodied to me.