William Kennedy Piping Festival 2019

This year sees the 26th anniversary of the William Kennedy Piping Festival. The William Kennedy Piping Festival honours the memory of William Kennedy who developed the Uilleann Pipes to be the instrument we now play. He was very much part of the creative and cultural upheaval that changed the face of Europe in the closing decade of the 18th century.

Organised by the Armagh Pipers Club, the festival is a mix of concerts, workshops, sessions and lectures, bringing together an unprecedented line-up of the most accomplished pipers from all of the main bagpiping traditions of Europe. The festival will kick off at 6pm on Thursday night with the first event at the Primate’s Chapel.

During the William Kennedy Piping Festival there will be a series of Workshops held on Saturday in St. Malachy’s Primary School. These Workshops are suitable only for intermediate to advanced level. Registration will commence at 9.30am with the classes starting at 10am.

The Masterclasses and Tutors will be Fiddle: Siobhán Peoples; Flute: Sylvain Barou; Accordion: Christy Leahy; Harp: Gráinne Hambly; Banjo: Stevie Dunne; Singing: Gráinne Holland; Scottish Step-dance: Sophie Stephenson; Beginners Uilleann Pipes: Éamonn Curran; Intermediate Uilleann Pipes: Kevin Rowsome; Advanced Uilleann Pipes: Seán Potts; Highland Pipes & Border Pipes: Calum MacCrimmon & Lorne MacDougall. And on Sunday at Áras na bPíobairí, Fiddle: Maeve Donnelly; and Scottish Step-dance: Sophie Stephenson. The cost per student is £12. Places can be booked online by visiting Workshop tickets.

Throughout the Festival, there will be traditional music sessions occurring in venues all over the Armagh. Participating in them will be some of Ireland’s finest musicians. These sessions will be happening at different times, day and night and are marvellous free entertainment open for all to attend. Please visit The Teol Evans Session Trail for full details.

For full details and further information about this years William Kennedy Piping Festival please visit armaghpipers.com or follow on Facebook or Twitter for the latest details. If you have any queries, then please send an email to info@wkpf.org.