Larry - I always thought that Ireland was part of the British Isles. Still the consensus seems to be that the use of bellows is a European development.

OH MY DAVE! There has been a lot said on this topic (Ireland as part of the British Isles), here, let's just say that there is not consensus on this!!!! [Of course it depends how you define British... and a host of other events and terms...] Cheers Larry

PS As an Uilleann piper myself... I have to say that folks take some things a wee tad too serriously and that - even though it is a challenging instrument... it is easier than discussing the diddly dees of its history...

BS... but that is what makes this place so much fun...

CS... see ye's later...