September Newsletter
Meeting Recap
We had a great BBQ meeting this month, despite a low turn out. Great food, great tunes, and great stories were shared.
Merchandise
If you’re interested in supporting the club, have a look at our website merch store! We’ve recently added a new logo hat, and if you have any ideas for new merch that you’d like, give us a shout!
Walsh Tune Book
Due to the limitations of our website, International order must be done via email rather than through the website. If you live outside the United States, please contact us at hello@irishpipersclub.com with your address so we can calculate shipping.
Here is a direct to the book in our shop: The Cumann Na bPiobairi Collection of Pipe-Friendly Tunes by John Walsh
Workshops & Concerts
West Coast Tionol 2025
After five years, Seattle will finally be hosting the West Coast Tionol once again! The tionol will be held on Presidents Day weekend, February 14-16. I’m very pleased to announce we will be hosting Caoimhín Ó Fearghail and Sean Gavin, two incredible talents and teachers.
Caoimhín Ó Fearghail
Hailing from An Rinn, Waterford Gaeltacht, began learning the tin whistle at age eight with Bobby Gardiner before progressing to the uilleann pipes under David Power. Self-taught on flute and guitar, he was influenced by renowned musicians like Matt Molloy and Séamus Ennis. In 2006, he released an album with local artists, and has since contributed to various albums, including those of Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Edel Fox. A recipient of the TG4 Young Musician of the Year award in 2012, Caoimhín has toured widely with groups like Caladh Nua and Danú, and in 2020, released a solo piping album through Na Píobairí Uilleann. A graduate of UCC with an MA in Irish, he was named Best Folk Instrumentalist at the 2021 RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards.
Sean Gavin
A master of the uilleann pipes, Irish flute, and tin whistle, Seán Gavin is one of the most highly regarded performers and teachers of traditional Irish music. He is the first musician born outside Ireland to win the prestigious Seán Ó Riada Gold medal, and the author of a popular tin whistle book published by Hal Leonard. Seán is the founder and director of the Irish Music Institute – a non-profit music school based in Southeast Michigan, and also serves as coordinator of celtic week at the Swannanoa Gathering in North Carolina. With recordings, lectures, and performances around the globe to his credit, Seán is back in his native Detroit, where he continues to play, teach, and promote traditional Irish music.
Early registration is available now here and in our store: West Coast Tionol ‘25
Ticket price will increase on Febraury 1st, so get your early!
As always, stay tuned to the website and newsletter for the latest details and updates, and feel free to reach out with any questions.
Bandcamp Finds
This album isn’t on banddcamp, but Sean McKeon’s playing of The Morning Thrush came up at the meeting so here is his entire album on Spotify. You can also purchase the album on Amazon in MP3 format. If anyone knows where to buy a physical copy, let me know and I’ll update this post.
And I stumbled upon this gem on Bandcamp the other day. A collection of piping from the Rowesome family.
Remember, Bandcamp Fridays are the first Friday of each month, and on those days the musicians receive 100% of the sales. So if you can, save your albums and purchase them on those days!
Submissions?
If anyone would like to share information in the monthly newsletter, or just stumbled upon something neat you want to share with the club at large, feel free to give us a shout at hello@irishpipersclub.com
That’s it for now. See you all in October!
