James E. Brennan, comments and selected references
Over the years there has been speculation that Brennan learned from or worked with the Taylor brothers, well-regarded pipe makers in Philadelphia in the 1870s and 80s. It has been suggested that Brennan made bellows for the Taylors, and that he made pipes from wooden parts bored and reamed out by the Taylors. When William Taylor died in January 1892 the brothers' pipemaking work ceased. Brennan was about eleven years old at the time. The timing makes these assertions unlikely if not impossible.
Supposedly Brennan acquired some of the Taylor's pipemaking tools. This has yet to be proven or disproven.
In 2007 I did some repair work on a four-regulator Brennan set originally made for Thomas Coyne of Johnstown, Pa. Coyne immigrated to the US in 1911 so the set was likely made after that date. While in the Taylor style, my impression was that it was not as robust as Taylor work. The sheet metal used for keys and tubes was not as thick as the sheet found on Taylor sets. Turning for mounts and plugs was blocky, not as rounded as Taylor work.
Nick Whitmer April 2020
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For Sale [classified ad]
"Irish Bagpipe, chaunter, bag and bellows, cheap. 732 Butler."
Philadelphia [PA] Enquirer March 17, 1918 2d sec. p. 9 column 5
Newspapers.com
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"Capt. Thomas O'Neill 5448 Drexel Ave Chicago Ill
"Told me I could not think of making a set of pipes
"Patrick Fitzpatrick 155 W 108th St. New York City N. Y.
"Sent me drawing of D. Regulator in request to Capt. O'Neill"
Brennan, James E. The Book of Brennan. [circa 1920?] "Published by Philly Piper - Copyright 2013" p. 39
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Philadelphia, PA 2116 Race Street Nov? 1920
Doings in Irish Circles
By An t-Eireannac
"Local lovers of Irish music were delighted at the visit to this city of Patrick Touhey, known among their clan the world over as the greatest living Irish piper, and a number of those who maintain their interest in the Uillean pipes recently gathered at the home of Mr. Thomas Jacob, No. 2116 Race street, to give Mr. Touhey a welcome. He was in great form and played for his audience a variety of airs, displaying a mastery and technique almost incredible. Among those present were pipers Maloney, Doyle, McCormick and Brennan, and it was generally agreed that Mr. Touhey's visit will long be remembered.
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"Patrick Touhey is among the last of the old school of Uillean pipers, and it is to be feared that this old, sweet and essentially Irish musical instrument is doomed to follow the Irish harp into oblivion, for, unhappily, there is no new generation of pipers to follow those who have passed on, and it is to be regretted that among Irish people taste has turned towards instruments that may be more modern, but certainly are less worthy of appreciation."
Philadelphia PA Irish Press Nov. 20, 1920 p. 4 column 7
Villanova University
http://archive.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VklQLzE5MjAvMTEvMjAjQXIwMDQwMQ%3D%3D&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
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