Our annual Tionol

Literally, a Tionol is ‘a gathering of pipers’. In the 21^stcentury though the name Tionol is mainly used for a day or a weekend of workshops, when a master uilleann piper comes to hand over his skills to less experienced pipers.

The annual Belgian Tionol is a residential weekend, mostly somewhere in the Belgian Ardens, a weekend full of workshops, lots of music, a good atmosphere and always with a great guest piper giving a recital on Saturday night.

22^nd Belgian Tionol

19-21 April 2024 , Modave, Belgium

Guest Piper: Tara Howley

Tara Howley is a multi award winning multi-instrumentalist, singer songwriter & composer from Kilfenora, Co.Clare.  Over the past 7 years Tara was the lead uilleann piper and whistle player with the Grammy award winning show ‘Riverdance’.  She has toured extensively in Europe, Asia, America and Canada.  Tara has also performed with the ‘Afro Celt Sound System’ on a European tour, has performed for and with James Galway, Bill Whelan, Paddy Keenan and Finbar Furey. She has featured on a numberof National and international television programmes, documentaries and podcasts.  Tara is now embarking on her solo career and is after releasing a very successful EP with Malaysia’s Faliq Auri. Their music has been streamed in over 70 countries and counting.  Tara is now recording new music and her new single ‘Outlawed tunes on outlawed pipes’ made history being the first female uilleann piperto be in the top 10 iTunes Charts.

Just like last year Michael Boere is our additional teacher.  Less known than Tara, he’s certainly not less skilled. Michael can be considered a modern uilleann piper who prefers the fast and fluent way of playing the pipes. His playing sounds like a cross over between Jarlath Henderson and John Mac Sherry.  He likes newly composed tunes and fresh arrangements. On the other hand he knows all the traditional techniques and is capable of handing them over tohis students.

Tara on Youtube and Face Boook:

https://www.facebook.com/tarahowleymusic

https://www.youtube.com/@tarahowleymusic

Michael on Youtube and Face Book:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m35DZi1TmYA

and on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.boere.7

Practical information & Registration

When: From Friday, April 19 (20 pm) till Sunday, April 21 (14h pm) 2024

Where: CENTRE ''LES CENTFONTAINES'' Rue du Centre 20, 4577 Modave, Belgium

(www.lescentfontaines.be) 16 km south of Huy.

Cost: We chose not to raise our prices, but if you feel like supporting our organisation, please feel free to pay the support price instead ofthe basic price!

Pipers: Basic price:195 €, all in. Support price: 225 €

Partners and children (and other additional guests): Basic price: 95 ; Support price 125 €

Program:

Friday: arrival from 7 pm onwards + session from 8 pm till bedtime

Saturday:

8.00 am - 8.45 am: Breakfast

9.30 am – 12: Workshop Uilleann Pipes; Group 1: Tara; Group 2: Michael

12.30: Lunch

2 pm – 4.30 pm: Workshop Uilleann Pipes; Group 1: Michael; Group 2: Tara

6 pm: Dinner

8 pm.: solo concerts guest pipers + jam session

Sunday:

8.00 am - 8.45 am: Breakfast

9.30 am – 12:  Workshop Uilleann Pipes or free practice

12.30: Lunch

2 pm: pictures + departure

Beginners lessons:

Unexperienced pipers are also welcome on our weekend. They can get suitable lessons from one of the organisers, dependant on their level.

Practical details:

Registration on before is necessary; payment in advance is preferred. Places are limited to maximum 20 participating pipers!

Vegetarian meals can be obtained, but have to be ordered at least one week in advance.

Bring your own sheets, towels, soap and shampoo.

(reservation of sheets is no longer possible!)

Drinks are not included in the price and will have to be paid separately on Sundays, before departure

Attainability:

Modave is close to the E42, exit Huy. Your navigation system knows the way.

Registration:

info@uilleannpipesbelgium.be

Tel: 0032(0)93869711 (Henk Coudenys)

Payment:

Please pay in advance on account BE183770 9286 0965 (bic: BBRUBEBB)of

Peter van Riel, Firbolg, Joos van den Steenelei 67, 2100 Deurne, Antwerpen,Belgium

Firbolg, Association of Uilleann Pipers in Belgium,

Henk Coudenys, Marnix Polfliet, Peter van Riel & Roger de Wouters

Belgian Tionols in the past

1. 2000 Borzée, Seá Óg Potts
2. 2001Borzée, Mick O’Brien
3. 2002 Borzée, Kevin Rowsome
4. 2003 Borzée, Brian McNamara
5. 2004 Borzée, Mickie Smyth
6.2005 Borzée, Séamus Ó Rócháin
7. 2006 Borzée, Tommy Keane
8. 2007 Borzée, Martin Nolan
9. 2008 Borzée, David Power
10. 2009 Borzée, Tiarnán Ó Duinnchin
11. 2010 Belvaux, Emmet Gill
12. 2011 Belvaux, Jimmy O’Brian-Moran
13. 2012 Belvaux, Ronan Browne
14. 2013 Belvaux, Michael Blacky O’Connell
15. 2015 Nevele, Fergus Finnegan
16. 2016 Wepion, Leonard Barry
17. 2017 Modave, Máire NiGhráda
18. 2018 Modave, Diarmaid Moynihan
19. 2019 Modave, Paddy Keenan
20. 2022 Modave, Connor Mallon

21. 2023 Modave, Leonard Barry