AN international musical event came to Warrnambool yesterday as part of a worldwide celebration of Irish piping.
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Warrnambool uilleann pipe player Corey Henderson joined a performance at the Alan Lane Community Gallery by local group, the Likely Celts.
Henderson accompanied the group for a couple of numbers, demonstrating the versatility and haunting sound of the uilleann pipes as part of the International Uilleann Piping Day, promoted by Ireland’s Na Piobairi Uilleann Association.
Na Piobairi was established about 50 years ago to ensure the long-term survival of the traditional Irish instrument.
Henderson has been playing the pipes for about 10 years. “I’m only playing a half set — there’s another section that provides chord accompaniment. They say it takes 20 years to really learn how to play them.”
The Likely Celts, made up of local musicians Merran Moir on piano accordion, pipes and whistle, Glenn Hudson on guitar and vocals and Tim Conlan on bass guitar, were taking part in one of the gallery’s frequent Sunday musical afternoons.
Henderson and Hudson recently travelled to Ireland together, absorbing musical traditions of the west coast.
The uilleann pipes are complex to make and difficult to play, with a basic set costing about $10,000.
“I bought mine from Tasmania but they were made in England,” Henderson said.
