Na Píobairí Uilleann presents
The Sound of Ireland
A celebration of UNESCO recognition for Uilleann Piping,
at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, 30 January 2018

A STELLAR line-up from the world of Irish traditional music, song and dance will headline a concert at Dublin’s iconic Abbey Theatre to celebrate UNESCO recognition of Uilleann Piping - The Sound of Ireland.

Leading artists including Noel Hill, Liam O’Connor, Seán McKeon, Paddy Glackin, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Robbie Hannan, Jimmy Canavan, the Rowsome Quartet and many more will feature in this unique performance which will be attended by Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D Higgins. The strength of the piping community - in Ireland and abroad - will be showcased during the concert.

Last December UNESCO included Uilleann Piping on its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This important global accolade reflects heritage cultural practices that are considered to enrich all of humanity. UNESCO has now agreed that Irish Uilleann Piping - often referred to as “The Sound of Ireland” - merits this recognition.
Uilleann Piping is the first Irish element to be recognised by UNESCO, and the campaign for inscription on the Representative List was led by Na Píobairí Uilleann, who lobbied for Irish ratification of the UNESCO Convention, and assisted the Irish Government in preparing the nomination.

Now in 2018, it is a thriving art-form in Ireland and also worldwide where it is celebrated in 50 countries and on six continents, in places as diverse as Cuba, Finland, Australia, Argentina and Germany. There are more than three thousand uilleann pipers around the world, playing Irish music on this Irish instrument. They can be found in dedicated clubs throughout Europe and in North and South America, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Gay McKeon, CEO of Na Píobairí Uilleann (www.pipers.ie) and himself a celebrated player said: “To mark this global milestone for Uilleann Piping we felt it was appropriate to gather many of our greatest Irish artists together for a celebratory performance and we’re delighted to be able to stage the event at such an iconic cultural site.”

For further information contact:
Na Píobairí Uilleann, 15 Henrietta Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
W:www.pipers.ie E:info@pipers.ie P:01 8730093
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