The pipes were blowing in 1990
The third annual Tional Ceoil held in Templemore in conjunction with Na Piobaire Uileann took place in the Templemore Arms Hotel on October 13 and 14, 1990. He is a report from 35 years ago: Tional, or gathering, of pipers is held to bring together Uileann pipers, young and old, beginners and experts who teach, swap tunes and listen to the different styles of playing. This year was the third Tional organised by Joe Barry and Brendan Collins. Thanks to the facilities and friendship shown by Dan Ward and Gerry McGourty, the weekend was one of music all through.
On Friday night a session took place in the hotel with two American pipers, Kirk Lynch and Roger Londis, who teamed up with two young pipers from Belfast, Patrick Davy and Martin Preshaw, both studying music and the Irish language at Queens University. Also participating was piper and pipe maker Eugene Lambe from County Clare.
We also had many new learners including 80-old Heinz Braun from Germany. There were many young pipers too who came from all over Ireland including Wexford, Longford, Monaghan and Longford.
Twenty years ago, Joe Barry was the only known piper in County Tipperary and he had to travel to Martin Rochford in County Clare or to the late great Dan O’Dowd in Dublin when he needed reeds or help with pipes.
Today, Tipperary has its own share of pipers including Michael Cooney in Littleton, Dick Griffin in Templemore and Brendan Collins in Drom. One of the highlights of the weekend, though not strictly speaking to do with the piping, was the beautiful singing in harmony of Hector and Elizabeth, who were in Ireland for the weekend. They were surprised and delighted with the reception received.
Saturday night was Kathleen Nesbitt and family, Kay Webster, Jim Ely and John Collins joined the pipers for the session. Phil Moloughney, that great octogenarian, played the whistle all night. All agreed that the hospitality shown by Dan and Gerry over the weekend could be not be equalled and we all look forward to Tional 1991.