Dean sticks to his own style
THEY say it takes 21 years to master the uilleann pipes, but it seems Moyvane musician Timmy Flaherty is a quick learner.
The 19-year-old is Kerry’s first senior All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil uilleann pipe winner – despite having started with the instrument just six years ago.
“There are definitely not many people playing the uilleann pipes in Kerry. I had heard of them, but didn’t really see them being played,” Timmy explained. “I actually decided I wanted to play them when I watched a video of the uilleann piper Mickey Dunne on YouTube; I thought they looked unreal. They have a very different sound.
“I didn’t realise at first how much there was to playing them, but it got easier over time. Mickey actually made the first part of the pipes for me.”
And after that, Timmy was hooked. Playing the pipes came naturally, and he juggled learning them along with four other instruments.
“The instrument is like a band in itself – there’s the drones, regulators, chanter, bellows and bag. I was first drawn to it because of all the different melodies that could be made, the sound is unbelievable off it ,” he said. “I began playing with a half set, then in time a three-quarter set, and kept adding until it was complete.
“Building the instrument and playing it is a very long learning process. They say it takes 21 years to master them and it’s definitely true; you’d always be adding to them and learning new things.”
The uilleann pipes are the instrument that presents most challenges for the multi-talented musician, but they’ve been worth the trouble.
“There are a good few challenges with playing the pipes. Tuning is a big process, and when we had the good weather spell it caused havoc. Humidity plays a massive part in how it plays – temperature affects the reeds, and mine are homemade, which makes them even more sensitive, I was trying to keep it cool during the weather to keep it playable.
“A lot of people associate them with the Scottish bagpipes, but they’re fairly different. The bag in the uilleann pipes is inflated by the bellows, but with the bagpipes it’s blown with the mouth. Another challenge is that, unlike the bagpipes, you can’t stand up playing the uilleann pipes, you have to sit down, because you strap the bellows to your right elbow to pump air into the bag. The chanter goes on the right knee, and you use your right hand to play those notes and your right wrist to work with the drones. It can be difficult.”
Difficulty regardless, Timmy left Drogheda and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann last month with an All-Ireland trophy. He also came third with the mandolin. The wins bring his medal collection to five, having won titles previously at under-age levels – but he says the step up to senior competition was massive.
“There were 13 of us in the senior pipes competition in Drogheda. Every competition is tough, but the standard is highest in the senior categories.”
Timmy plays the pipes, banjo, mandolin, tenor guitar and whistle.
“I started playing the whistle when I was in school, in first or second class,” he says.
“Late in second class, I went out to Ballylongford, and I picked up the banjo; Willie Larkin taught me. He had group classes there, and then I began private lessons with Aisling Neville in Listowel and continued for a good few years. I still go to her to polish up on tunes if I’m getting ready for a competition.”
As tough an industry as Timmy says it is, he realises that it’s an exciting hobby, and the appreciation for music in the county and country is strong.
“When I was younger it was all sport with people my age, I just did it because everyone else was doing it. I wasn’t the best at it, so I said I’d stick to the music.
“Kerry is a very musical county. The county is great for promoting and supporting the arts.
“Moyvane is big for its music. There’s a fierce amount of musicians learning and teaching out there and living in the area.”
“In the future, I would like to focus on getting my degree and maybe keep the music as
THEY SAY IT TAKES 21 YEARS TO MASTER THE UILLEANN PIPES AND THAT’S DEFINITELY TRUE
a hobby. If I got a permanent teaching job, then I would love to spend the summers travelling and playing music.”
And being the talented musician he is, Timmy has been exposed to a few high profile people. “I got to meet Prince Charles and Camilla this year. We got to play for them in Siamsa. It was amazing altogether having a chat with them. They’re very nice, I got to shake hands and share a few words with them, they’re the most famous people I’ve met anyway!”
Along with owing great thanks and praise to his music teachers, he has also had a lot support from his family.
“My mother and father have been fierce good to me throughout the years, driving me to lessons and supporting my music. Even my little brother and sister would be at competitions when they really didn’t want to be there. I’ve had great support.”
For any other young musicians or those aspiring to play music, Timmy has some words of wisdom to share.
“It’s competitive in the industry, but you make friends for life, from all over the world. Its tough and requires hard work, but people shouldn’t over-think things – it’s only a competition. Yes, it’s about talent but, being honest, it also comes down to having a bit of luck on the day!”