Main Links History Catalog Photographs Contact Order | CHARLES ROBERTS Uilleann pipemaker. Introduction The pipes are handmade from traditional materials as ebony, African blackwood, boxwood or rosewood for pipes and stocks. Brass, laquered brass, nickel silver or silver is used for ferrules and keywork. Bags and bellows are made from double thickness leather for air tightness. The bags are hand stitched and the bellows are hand nailed and studded to the wood. Through the years Charles has had the priviledge of restoring sets made by Robert Reid, Maurice Coyne, Timothy Kenna, the Taylor brothers (William and Charles), John Egan, R. L. O'Mealy, William Kennedy and Brogan... A section on sets restored by Charles is being planned and will be added as soon as it is finished. Charles' oldest son, Alan, started working with his father in 1995 and plays the pipes professionally in pubs, festivals, weddings and other occasions. He has played on six recordings and is finishing off his first solo album. Alan is available for piping concerts, touring and lessons. All pages and images © 2003 Charles Roberts |