The following are various references to pipers gleaned from old newspapers and journals by historian Sean Donnelly of Dublin . Sean was commissioned by the RSPBA NI to explore the history of the bagpipe in Ireland with the intention of publishing a book .
‘The Humours of Bandon’
Dublin Intelligence, 20-27 January 1691:
‘From Bandon in the county of Cork we have late account, That Lieutenant Arthur Beritard, with twenty Militia Dragoons of captain Wade’s Troop, which were posted at Dunmanway, a Frontier of that county, accompanied with an Ensign and 18 Foot of the Army, advanced into the Enemies Quarters, and took a Prey of five hundred Sheep, fifty cows, and thirty Garrans. Whereupon the Irish raised the cry, so that seven companies of O’Donovan’s Regiment got together and detacht 120 of their Party to fall upon our Men: They came on in good Order, with their Bagpipe playing, and fir’d briskly at our men, who received their Shot, and then charg’d and cried “They Run, they Run”, as indeed they did. The Dragoons pursued and kill’d ten, and one Prisoner, and our Men brought out their Prey in view of the Enemy: Some part of the Prey was given to Victual the Garrison, and the rest was divided amongst those that took it to their satisfaction,’
‘The Protestant Boys’
Faulkner’s Dublin Journal, 17 November 1739:
‘Inniskilling. Oct, 14. Last Week war was proclaimed against Spain. One remarkable instance of Loyalty appeared in two old men, the surviving Relicts of the ancient Inniskillingers, who after the ceremony, had a table fixed at the Market cross, and after drinking Success to his Majesty’s Forces by Sea and Land, got a drum who in concert with a Piper, played The Protestant Boys still carry the Way, while they went through the Military Discipline,
‘The Bride’s Favourite’
Belfast Newsletter, 24 March 1758:
‘They write from Coleraine that on the 17th inst was married in the Parish church a Highland lad and lass, who marched through the whole town with a piper playing before them, accompanied by some hundreds of the lower kind of people. In the evening they fell to drinking: but on the bride’s acknowledging that she loved the piper better than the bridegroom, the latter agreed the piper should have her for 18 shillings. But some words soon after ensuing, the bridegroom stabbed the piper in the breast with a hanger and made his escape, but was afterwards taken and sent to jail.’
‘The Plains of Waterloo’
The Moderator ( Kilkenny), 12 September 1816:
‘Major-General Sir Dennis Pack has presented to the 42nd Regiment, a very elegant pair of Bagpipes, superbly mounted, with the following inscription: –
Irish PIPES
are presented by
Major General Sir Dennis Pack
To the
uIn testimony of his esteem and high respect for their
distinguished exertions in the Field and
Exemplary conduct in all other Respects,
While under his command,
18th. June 1815
‘The Sober Piper’
Kerry 1,,Examiner, 4 April 1843:
‘Wanted by members of Scartaglin Temperance Society, a man who can play the Scotch pipes. None but a teetotaller need apply!’
