The local man who hit all the right notes - Dromore Leader

TOWARDS the end of the 18th century the face of Europe was changed by a wave of cultural and creative activity.

Banbridge’s own blind piper. William Kennedy was part of that upheaval, according to a book entitled ‘A Biography of the Blind’ written by James Wilson in 1821, containing an interview with William Kennedy, who was still alive.

William Kennedy was born near Banbridge in 1768. He lost his sight when he was four years of age. When he was thirteen he was sent to Mr Moorehead in Armagh to learn how to play the fiddle.

At that time it was customary to send blind children to train as musicians so that they could earn a living. William made good progress and stayed there for over a year lodging with a cabinet maker who taught him how to use tools.

Uilleann pipes and the travelling musicians

Marcas to deliver Pipers’ Club lecture in Dublin

Published on 06/04/2013 08:50

This year’s recipient of TG4 Lifetime Achievement Award The Pipers Association of Ireland (Cumann na bPíobairi Uilleann) has invited well-known Derry flautist and teacher Marcas Ó Murchú to deliver their May lecture.

These lectures are a series of monthly performance-based lectures on traditional music, song and dance by some of Ireland’s finest traditional artists.

The topic will be “Irish musicians in 20th century USA - some aspects of their human story”.