The Irish War Pipes (seen above)
or Brian Boru Pipes (i.e., two drone) were on Ordnance issue
until the early 1960`s. There was a mix of two drone and Scottish
three drone Pipes from about 1945 and 1946.
The first time that the Irish
Regimental Pipers were accepted at the Piping school in Edinburgh
they had to use the three drone pipes, this was about 1946.
Most of the Pipers all came from Ulster and had their own pipes
because they played in Civilian bands; they also used the three
drone pipes.
Most Pipers will wear silver
buckles on the piper shoe, however the MICKS Pipers do not,
this is due to John Redmond, when John first presented the pipes
to the Regiment, the master shoe maker, cut down the uppers
on the second pair of shoes that were issued to all pipers,
this was to make one pair very heavy with flap tongues. To this
day the Irish Guards Pipers do still not wear silver buckles.
