The London Uilleann Pipers Club (LUPC) consists of a number of individuals who play, or are learning to play, one of Ireland’s most traditional instruments - The Uilleann Pipes.

Formed over 25 years ago, the Club spent many happy years based at the Camden Irish Centre but more recently has moved to new premises at The Hammersmith Irish Centre, Blacks Road, Hammersmith, where classes are held every Thursday evening, during term time, from 7.30pm to 10pm.  

Music Classes

Weekly classes are provided by the Club for anyone who would like to learn The Uilleann Pipes, Teachers use the LUPC tutor books and pupils can learn to read music if they prefer, although most teaching is by ear and pupils are recommended to bring a cassette or mini-disc recorder to classes. The past few years have seen a rapid development in the Club’s teaching programme. Pupil numbers have grown and the Club attracts students from as far as Cambridge.

For those interested in learning, the Club can provide practice sets for use by beginners, but those with serious intentions will soon discover they need their own set. Learning to play the pipes requires dedication and you will need to set aside an hour a day to master them, rather than one evening a week. Your tutors are:

Tim Dowd (beginners to advanced)

Tom Lynch (beginners to advanced)

Des Crummy (beginners)

If you wish to learn to play the Uilleann Pipes, or would just like to visit the Club out of interest, please contact one of the three people listed: see Contact Page who will be happy to assist you.

The distinctive and haunting sound of the Uilleann Pipes has captivated many people over the years but  Davy Spillane’s playing of the lament Caoineadh Cu Chulainne in the show Riverdance is chiefly responsible for bringing the pipes to the attention of the non-Irish.

Since then, there has been a surge of interest and Uilleann Pipes are being widely taken up around the world. Many clubs now exist to promote the pipes but, as far as we know, the London Uilleann Pipers Club is the only place in London where you can learn to play them.