Uilleann Piping in the Rowsome Family

LEO ROWSOME The Pipers Club

Choose from the links below:
1. Articles written about Leo during his lifetime
2. The Rowsome uilleann piping Quartet
3. Leo's teaching / music
4.  The Thomas Street pipers club
5. Photos of Leo's set of uilleann pipes
6. Obituaries  
7. Articles written about Leo since his death in September 1970

The Thomas Street Pipers Club

The popularity of the old Dublin pipers club was in decline at the beginning of the 20^th century, by 1914 it was practically extinct. All attempts to revive it failed until 1934, when a new club opened at Áras Ceannt, 14 Thomas Street, Dublin.  Named after Eamonn Ceannt who had been secretary of the old club until 1905 and was executed for his part in the 1916 uprising.

 Leo Rowsome was the first president of the new club. He dedicated much of his time to teaching pipes. The Dublin club inspired the formation of other clubs, notably in Co Meath led by Willie Reynolds.

 Towards the end of the 1940’s, interest in the uilleann pipes and traditional music was continually gathering momentum. It was fast becoming apparent that there was a need for a national organization for traditional music. Negotiations took place in the pipers club and a new organization (Cumann Ceoltóirí Éireann) was formed in January 1950.  Leo and Tom Rowsome played a major role in the formation of CCE and the first Fleadh Ceol, Mullingar 1951.

Tom Rowsome was elected secretary to Cumann Ceoltóirí Éireann’s first board in 1951. Its name was changed to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in 1952.

Towards the end of the 1940’s, interest in the uilleann pipes and traditional music was continually gathering momentum. It was fast becoming apparent that there was a need for a national organization for traditional music. Negotiations took place in the pipers club and a new organization (Cumann Ceoltóirí Éireann) was formed in January 1950.  Leo and Tom Rowsome played a major role in the formation of CCE and the first Fleadh Ceol, Mullingar 1951.

Early Pipers Club Committee Photo