Dunne family of RTE fame to present legendary Laois pipes to Clonaslee St Patrick's Day Parade

A famous set of pipes belonging to the legendary piper, Frank Dunne are to be presented to the Clonaslee St Patrick's Day Parade committee at a big event in the Slieve Bloom community.

Frank, a War of Independence veteran, was father of the late RTÉ gaelic games commentator from Laois, Mick Dunne, and grandfather of the former RTÉ newsreader, Eileen Dunne, who has always retained her roots in the O'Moore County.

The extended Dunne family will travel back to their Laois roots on Sunday, February 16, to present the pipes to the St Patrick's Day parade committee at an informal function at 2pm at the bridge.

A parade will take place afterwards with the pipes being played through the village of Clonaslee. All are invited to attend the historic event.

The pipes had lain in the attic of a house in Clontarf for over 40 years. They were in remarkably good condition but the bag, covering material and one of the stock pieces had seen better days. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The late Mick Dunne in Croke Park. Pic: Sportsfile

They were made in the early 20th century. The Chanter was made by Tadgh Crowley of Cork, and the drones were most likely made by James Robertson of Edinburgh. Dave identified the drones from an archive of pipe manufacturers. Robertson drones had a characteristic profile on the top of the drones and the ivory mounts were 'chunkier' than other makers.

During the War of Independence, much of the uniforms and musical instruments, belonging to Clonaslee Pipe Band, of which Frank was the founder and tutor, were destroyed by the Black and Tans.

An article, produced by the journal of Timahoe Heritage Society, related how: “...on a Sunday morning in the Summer of 1920 the Black and Tans broke down the door of the Band Room [now part of the Community Hall] and removed drums, banners, uniforms and bagpipes to the middle of the Goose Green and burned everything as people went to Mass..''

Frank Dunne was a prominent member of the Laois Brigade of the Old IRA who was buried with full military honours in Clonaslee in September 1979. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Eileen Dunne at the 2022 St Patrick's Day Parade in Clonaslee. Pic: Denis Byrne

He joined the Irish Volunteers in 1914 before emigrating to the United States where he was enrolled in the IRB and its sister organisation, Clan na nGael, in Philadelphia.

Frank returned to Ireland in 1918 as a dispatch carrier with messages for Michael Collins and he served as Officer Commanding 4th Battalion of the Laois Brigade during the War of Independence,

Having taken the Anti-Treaty side in the Civil War he became adjutant of the brigade before his imprisonment in Kilkenny Jail in July 1922. He escaped with five others but was captured again in 1923, sentenced to death which was later commuted to penal servitude. In Mountjoy prison he took part in the 41-day hunger strike in October 1923.

He was responsible for forming and teaching pipe bands in Clonaslee, Clonaheen, Mounmellick and Killenard as well as in Mountbolus in neighbouring Offaly.

His funeral cortege in 1979 was led through Clonalsee by the Mountbolus band and military honours were peformed at the graveside. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

First All-Star Damien Martin of Offaly, Moira Dunne, six time in a row All-Star winner Jack O'Shea of Kerry and Eileen and Moira Dunne at the launch in Croke Park of All-Star Gazing, a book that marked the 50th anniversary of the All-Stars in 2021. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Frank was also a founding member of Fianna Fáil and took a prominent part in general elections in the Mountmellick/ Tinnahinch area.

These pipes were restored by Dave Rickard, a piper, composer, author and music teacher, originally from Howth. He is a member of a very musical family and his brother Leo is also a well known Uilleann piper.

Dave worked on every element of the pipes, including making a number of drones. He lovingly restored these pipes to a very high standard and rendered them playable today, and for many years to come.

Dave is a member of St Maur's Pipe Band in Rush, Co Dublin, a band that has been in existence since 1932. In addition, he teaches the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band, amongst others.

He is also a writer and composer and one of his publications is “Traditional Irish Music for the Bagpipe” published by Ossian Publications. Some of the many tunes written by Dave include “The Strutting Jig”, a hornpipe, “Balscadden Bay”, a march, and “Captain Bill Howarth's March”.

He has a lifelong interest in reviving and performing Irish Warpipe music and he continues to explore and celebrate this rich heritage and help the spirit of the war pipes live on.

Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band produced a CD under the guidance of Dave, who provided much valued direction throughout the whole project. Funds raised from the sale of this CD go directly to SOS [Suicide or Survive] which aims to break down the stigma associated with mental health issues.