I talked briefly with Sean after the performance, mentioning that I would be
in London and would like to get a set of pipes. He gave me the name Alan
Ginsberg, and so, with no knowledge or experience of the Irish pipes, my
Uilleann sojourn began in October of 1982.
I visited Alan Ginsberg at his home outside of London, and arranged to have
a set of pipes made over the next several days. I visited his cheerful and
active workshop nightly, and got more inebriated (Guinness and Teachers
combined) than I have been before or since.
Armed with my new pipes, I set out for Dublin and the home of Matt Kiernan
on Offaly Street, in a sub-section of Dublin called Cabra. Mr Kiernan is as
kind and energetic a gentleman as I have had the
pleasure to meet, and I was impressed as well as his sister who I met as she
stopped by briefly. As with Alan Ginsberg, I made a bit of a pest of
myself, making several visits to his place, saw his tools and how the
chanters were made, soaking up every detail I could. I fixed Mr. Kiernan's
brass alarm clock which he previously had oiled liberally, using my Swiss
Army knife tweezers to straighten out the hairspring. I was proclaimed a
master craftsman on the spot. I was also told that my name "Russell' was
a
fine Irish name (not English as I had feared :-) from County Cork.
It was my good luck that I was in Dublin the week of the half annual pipers
meeting. Before then, however I had an appointment to visit Denis Brooks
and his wife Connie, two Americans living in their cabin north of Kanturk.
I spent several delightful, hospitable, nights in their cozy stone cottage.
Besides being a piper of obvious great stature, as well as an excellent teacher,
Denis is also one of the most hilarious people on Earth, and one of our main
entertainments in the evening was his constant ad-lib pantomimes to the short
wave radio as reception scanned the continent of Europe. I also got a fine lesson
on my pipes. Needless to say, I enjoyed my stay immensely. My understanding
is
that Denis, after founding two pipers clubs in San Francisco and Seattle, is
now in
Cork City. My best to him and I hope to see him again.
Returning to Dublin in time for the pipers meeting, I had a devil of a time
finding the address - finally finding it glowing brightly behind a tiny door
in a dark and stone lined alley. Much happened at that meeting, Mr. Kiernan
introduced me and I shook hands with Dan Dowd! I did not yet know who he
was, but I was confident from the deference of those around me that I was in
the presence one of the great souls of piping and of Ireland itself - as
indeed I was.
I made the mistake of complimenting a young, apple-faced piper on his
playing and the poor fellow just about blushed to death. I met Brendan
Breathnach, and later took two lessons from him on my new pipes, learning
the Miller's Reel - 20p per lesson.
Sadly, this pipers meeting was also shortly after Seamis Ennis's death on
October 5th. Though I had not heard of him, the news of his death obviously
weighed heavily on everyone at the meeting. The Irish accents were so thick
to my American ear, that I could not quite make out his name!
After a last visit to Matt Kiernan's - at which I played a little fiddle
music on an instrument at his home. I remember being gently chided later.
I had noticed that the low D on my chanter was sharp, and asked Mr. Kiernan
if he had any suggestions.
Mr. Kiernan berated me, in as friendly a way as possible, saying that "Alan
Ginsberg is a master of his craft. Nothing leaves his hands unless it is
perfect!". "Your ear ... is too near", Matt exclaimed, adding
"John Keenan
took that fiddle out of its case, and just played it without tuning it at
all!".
On returning to Alan Ginsberg's, I described my experiences,but was such a
poor messenger about Seamus Ennis's death, that I caused quite a bit of
confused furor when I later returned to London and attempted to pass on the
news of someone important who had died, but I did not know for certain who
it was!
Rather to Alan and Joan's delight, I passed on Matt Kiernan's emphatic
compliments regarding Alan's work, and standing in the world of pipe-making.
Ah, and on my last night, the happy intoxicated (this was night of the
Guinness and Teachers Scotch) memories of Martin - one of Alan's craftsmen,
doing a hilarious imitation of a radio talk show host, Bob White the piper,
Joan Ginsberg, and their children Nathan, about 4 years old and Nancy, then
a very thoughtful girl of 8 years.
What a wonderful visit that was, with such a memorable group of great people
and great souls.
Years later I visited Alan Ginsberg outside of Bangor, Wales, in Celtic
House and his family was doing nicely, with two new additions, the ever
energetic Gawain and Owen.
Though I still have my pipes - with all the reeds working - my interest in
the instrument is primarily a mechanical one. I cannot call myself a piper
of any standing, but I do have some knowledge of the working and repair of
the instrument. If any of you are near Berkeley, and having reed problems
or other mechanical problems with your instrument, don't hesitate to me a
call or email me.
Alan Ginsberg's web page is:
http://www.hgt.gwynedd.gov.uk/UilleannPipes/