Na Píobairí Uilleann (NPU) is seeking donations to be able to deliver the full programme of courses planned at its new pipe-making training facility, PipeCraft, in Clonshaugh, Dublin.

In his text for yesterday’s official opening of the centre and launching the three-year full-time pipe making course, Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, stated: ‘I have no doubt that the initiative of Na Píobairí Uilleann in establishing this centre will bring about a huge advance in the transmission of the skills of uilleann pipe-making to current and future generations, and ensure that Ireland remains the centre of excellence in this 250-year-old craft.’ 

But it seems, despite the significant contribution the Centre will make to the economy, a considerable fund-raising campaign will be required to make up the current funding shortfall of €150,000 required to run the planned programmes. 

The PipeCraft Training Centre, equipped with all the machinery, tools and materials required for transmitting the skills required, was commissioned in 2011, and up to now has been used to host short-term courses that have resulted in the transfer of skills to 80 people.

This centre has been established with capital funding received from the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht, and the support of Anne Goodwin of Laois Partnership Company along with LEADER companies in Donegal, Carlow, Fingal and Meath. NPU has also received financial support from the Arts Council and the Crafts Council of Ireland to assist with the research work and the development of the training courses.

NPU says: ‘A further significant contributory factor has been the on-going fund-raising, donations and voluntary work by NPU and its membership and friends. We are very pleased to acknowledge the generous donation of equipment by the Irish Times Ltd. We have now progressed to the delivery of a three-year full-time course, with ten trainees from several counties in Ireland.

Apart from the creation of a minimum of thirty jobs, additional exports of over €1.5 million per annum, and embedded cultural tourism, we will re-establish an important heritage craft in Ireland by re-invigorating a great tradition of pipe-making dating back to the eighteenth century.’

Donations can be made online at pipers.ie/donate or by sending donations to Na Píobairí Uilleann, 15 Henrietta Street, Dublin 1.

pipers.ie.