Peter Kelly (piper) facts for kids

Peter Kelly (1837 – 1 April 1910) was a talented Irish piper. He was born in the city of Galway. Sadly, he lost his sight when he was a baby. To help him make a living, his parents made sure he learned to play the pipes from Martin O'Reilly. When Peter was about thirty years old, he moved to Glasgow with a fiddler named John Crockwell. In Glasgow, Peter got married and had nine children. When he passed away, his wife and three of his children were still alive.

Early Life and Moving to Glasgow

Peter Kelly was born in Galway, Ireland, in 1837. He became blind when he was very young. His parents wanted to make sure he could support himself. So, they arranged for him to learn the uilleann pipes. His teacher was a well-known piper named Martin O'Reilly.

Around the age of 30, Peter decided to move to Scotland. He went to Glasgow with his friend, a fiddler named John Crockwell. In Glasgow, Peter started a family. He married and became a father to nine children.

Peter's Musical Talent

Peter Kelly was a very famous musician in Glasgow for many years. People often saw him playing near the Jamaica and Albert bridges. He also played close to the Queen Street Station. Unlike many pipers who sit, Peter played while standing up. He used a short stick to rest his leg and help him play his instrument.

People said he was a very skilled and sweet player. Even Mr. Henderson, a famous maker of bagpipe reeds, praised Peter's musical abilities. Peter learned all his music by ear. He was incredibly quick at picking up new tunes. If he heard a song played, sung, or whistled just once, he could play it perfectly on his pipes. His favorite songs to play were The Coolin and The Blackbird.

Friends and Final Days

Peter Kelly often played music with a friend named Smith. Smith was also blind and played the flute. They were known as very close friends. Peter was playing at his usual spot on the Albert Bridge. This was just a few days before he passed away. He died from an illness called pneumonia on April 1, 1910.

His Legacy

After Peter Kelly passed away, his pipes were taken to a pawnshop. The chanter, which is part of the pipe, was very worn down. This showed how much Peter had played his beloved instrument. The marks on the chanter were from his fingers. This shows how dedicated he was to his music. Peter Kelly is remembered as a gifted piper. He shared his beautiful music with many people in Glasgow.