O’Cainian, Micele

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David Cormelluth was the provider of both the pictured bagpipe (top gallery) and these words.

Micele O’Cainian is sometimes referred to as Michael Keenan. Year of Birth; 1886.  Date of Death; 23 March, 1978.  He was born in Shercock, County Monaghan, Ireland. (County Cavan & Monaghan are one electoral unit. He is sometimes mis-noted as being in and from Cavan.)  From his early days, he was a well known and well respected piper…  and also, as a maker of bagpipes. He made both uilleann pipes and Great Highland Bagpipes.

It was reported that he said that he had to begin making uilleann bagpipes when very young, because he couldn’t afford to buy any.  He played his first public engagement in 1907.  After he began pipe making, he began to have customers all over the U. K., Europe and America. He was known as a meticulous craftsman.

He never married, and so (like the Starck family, lacking an heir)) had no one to whom he then might pass on his skills.

In 1917-1918 he was in The Killann Pipers Band and also, in 1917, he helped to form and to train (the PM?) The O Rahilly Pipe Band.

He was active in piping, pipe making, and in and with several bands well on into his 70’s. His home was well known as a welcoming place where one could always drop in and talk about and play the music.