Musician seeks return of pipes

LEADING traditional musician and composer Eoin Duignan yesterday offered a reward for the return of his uileann pipes, which were stolen in Tralee on Wednesday afternoon.

The 50-year-old pipes were made by legendary Dublin piper, the late Leo Rowsome, and are the only set owned by Mr Duignan, who lives in Dingle.

“I’ve had these pipes for 35 years. They’re of huge value to me, but of very little value to anyone else. I’m offering a reward of €500 to get them back, with no questions asked. The pipes disappeared from Ballymullen, Tralee, between 1.15pm and 2.30pm, on Wednesday,” he said.

Mr Duignan had been rehearsing with guitarist John Browne and bass player James Kennedy, in Mr Browne’s Ballymullen home. He left the house with the pipes, but left them on the pavement before he went back to the house to ask Mr Browne about something.

“My van was parked outside and I just put the pipes down before I walked five yards back to the door. However, when I came back out I forgot to put the pipes into the van and drove off without them. I was in Dingle before I discovered I had left them behind. I immediately contacted John Browne, but when he checked they were gone. I reported it to the gardaí and they are investigating.”

Mr Duignan said the pipes could be easily traced as having been made by Leo Rowsome and, for that reason, would not be much good to anyone else.

“I couldn’t put a price on them, but they are very special. A new set would cost about €10,000,” he said.

He has made three albums and four CDs with the pipes, which he has used all through his professional career. Mr Duignan can be contacted on 087-2849656.