A Smaller Social History of Ancient Ireland

By P W Joyce

1906

MUSIC

The bagpipes were known in Ireland from the earliest times: the form used was something like that now commonly known as the Highland pipes--slung from the shoulder, the bag inflated by the mouth. The other form--resting on the lap, the bag inflated by a bellows --which is much the finer instrument, is of modern invention. The bagpipes were in very general use, especially among the lower classes.

The simple pipe--as we might expect--was much in use, blown by the mouth at the end; the note being produced either by a whistle as in the modern flageolet, or by a reed as in the clarionet.

FIG. 70. Irish Piper playing at the head of a band marching to battle (From Derrick's Image of Ireland, 1578).

We find it often sculptured on the high crosses, as shown in fig. 71, which will give a good idea of shape and size.

FIG. 71. Harp and Pipe players. Figure on Durrow High Cross. (This is a pipe, not a trumpet). (From Miss Stokes's High Crosses of Castledermot and Durrow). Belongs to about the tenth century.