Sean McAloon
Encyclopedia
Sean McAloon was a piper and pipe maker from Ireland
. Originally from the Rosslea
area of County Fermanagh
, McAloon's first instrument was the fiddle
. However, he is best known as a master of the Uilleann pipes
. He emigrated to the United States
in 1964, but after a year he returned to Ireland. He spent eight months working as a builder's laborer in Dublin, but moved to Belfast
in 1966 to be closer to his family. There, he got a job working for the Corporation Parks Department.
His major inspirations as a piper were Phil Martin, who he saw playing at a feis
in Rosslea, and Leo Rowsome
. In addition to being a fine player, McAloon eventually became a respected pipe repairer and a highly regarded reed-maker. He produced about twenty sets of the instrument in his lifetime.
John McSherry
owns a McAloon half-set.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Originally from the Rosslea
Rosslea
Rosslea or Roslea is a small village in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, near the border with County Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland. It stands on the River Finn and is beset by small natural lakes. Roslea Forest is nearby...
area of County Fermanagh
County Fermanagh
Fermanagh District Council is the only one of the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland that contains all of the county it is named after. The district council also contains a small section of County Tyrone in the Dromore and Kilskeery road areas....
, McAloon's first instrument was the fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
. However, he is best known as a master of the Uilleann pipes
Uilleann pipes
The uilleann pipes or //; ) are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland, their current name, earlier known in English as "union pipes", is a part translation of the Irish-language term píobaí uilleann , from their method of inflation.The bag of the uilleann pipes is inflated by means of a...
. He emigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1964, but after a year he returned to Ireland. He spent eight months working as a builder's laborer in Dublin, but moved to Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
in 1966 to be closer to his family. There, he got a job working for the Corporation Parks Department.
His major inspirations as a piper were Phil Martin, who he saw playing at a feis
Féis
A Feis or Fèis is a traditional Gaelic arts and culture festival. The plural forms are feiseanna and fèisean .-History:In Ancient Ireland communities placed great importance on local festivals, where Gaels could come together in song, dance, music, theatre and sport...
in Rosslea, and Leo Rowsome
Leo Rowsome
Leo Rowsome was the third generation of an unbroken line of uilleann pipers. He was performer, manufacturer and teacher of the uilleann pipes - the complete master of his instrument...
. In addition to being a fine player, McAloon eventually became a respected pipe repairer and a highly regarded reed-maker. He produced about twenty sets of the instrument in his lifetime.
John McSherry
John McSherry (musician)
John McSherry is an Irish musician who plays the Uilleann pipes and tin whistle. He is known for being a founding member of Lunasa and Coolfin and has performed on recordings by a number of well-known artists in Irish traditional music.-Biography:...
owns a McAloon half-set.
Discography
Various artists, "Ulster's Flowery Vale", B.B.C. Radio Enterprises REC28M, no date (a compilation of traditional songs and music originally broadcast on the Northern Ireland Home Service, July and August 1968)- John ReaJohn Rea (musician)John Rea was a hammered dulcimer player from Glenarm in County Antrim, Ireland.Born in 1915 , John was the youngest of ten children. His six older brothers were all taught to play the fiddle by his father...
& Sean McAloon, Drops of Brandy, Topic 12TS287, 1976 - Various artists, Irish Traditional Music, Temple COMD2079, 2000 (compilation culled from three Topic releases, including 12TS287)
- Sean McAloon, Stor Piobaireachta (Piping from the Archives), Na Píobairí UilleannNa Píobairí UilleannNa Píobairí Uilleann is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the Irish Uilleann pipes and its music.-Organisation:...
, 2004