Everyone is familiar with Peterson's Pipes but I was wondering what other Irish pipe manufacturers there were. I don't know of any but Peterson's can't have been the only ones. Does anyone know?
Irish pipes
- Thread starter petersonsaddict
- Start date
- Status
Off hand I'd say everything on the Emerald Isle is Peterson related.
For something closer to home there is this company, Irish Briar.
http://www.irishbriar.com/
For something closer to home there is this company, Irish Briar.
http://www.irishbriar.com/
The noble Murphy is now targeted.
BPLs were made in Ireland and sold at duty free shops for the tourist trade. And, no, they were not produced by Peterson. I've also seen for sale clay pipes for sale in Ireland purported to be made there. Again, mainly for tourists.
BPLs were made in Ireland and sold at duty free shops for the tourist trade. And, no, they were not produced by Peterson. I've also seen for sale clay pipes for sale in Ireland purported to be made there. Again, mainly for tourists.
Bog oak pipes are out there,
this one is a particularly fine example:
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/whc-irish-bog-oak-pipe-1903
this one is a particularly fine example:
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/whc-irish-bog-oak-pipe-1903
Peterson seems to be the only factory pipe coming out of Ireland. Maybe there are some carvers? I would think some of the smaller but vibrant towns on the countryside might generate some pipe carvers, but Ireland has had its share of economic and political troubles, so maybe it didn't lend itself to pipe making like some of the other pipe regions in Italy, France, and Denmark.
They used to make clay pipes as I used to buy them in the 'South' when I went motorcycling through the Irish countryside in the early 1980s. They always had a green tip to them and usually an Irish harp motif on the side of the bowl and something in Gaelic printed on the stem which were thinner than the stems of the Pollock clays from Stott Street in Manchester. That and a subway token will win you are bar bet! :
:
:
Here's a BPL that I am currently selling on ebay. BPL is Briar Pipes Limited, and they were made in Dublin Ireland. They were not Peterson's or Peterson seconds. It's a totally different company, that made pipes in Ireland at one point. Not a whole lot of info out there about them. But the one I have is stamped, Abbey, Shannon Airport, Made in Dublin Ireland, 214 FT. They seem to be nicely made pipes. That's all I know about the other Irish pipes...
Orley, if it's stamped Shannon Airport, it was likely made for the tourist trade. At one point most of the air traffic to Ireland was routed through Shannon, at least mythically to spread a little wealth to the less well-off west coast of Ireland. Now I think air traffic is at least equally sent directly to Dublin, but I'm guessing. Looks like a good pipe, and too bad they aren't still in business as best we know. I think I read that smoking has been banned at Irish pubs, which seems almost unthinkable, since next to Guiness, that was a main reason to go to pubs, along with music and conversation and people watching.
Yes, smoking is banned. They are a bit more civilized in Ireland though than in the US. Most pubs provide covered, heated areas outside with seating for "smerting." For me the main reason for going to the pub is to catch up on the local news since my last visit.
Shannon was the main airport for European-NA travel early on as most airlines needed to refuel. Shannon was at the limit of the early plane's fuel load. Nothing nefarious about it. Dublin or, Belfast for that matter would have been more attractive and they certainly had the political horse-power to make it happen. Now, Shannon does primarily serve the West as the hub. Lot's of university students to haul for Galway City. And, then there are visitors like myself who much prefer life in the West as opposed to hanging around with a bunch of "Dubs." No offense to Dubliners but, well you know what I'm writing about. Not to far below the surface lies the heart and soul of a "bog trotter."
Also, Shannon, for a while was the only airport where American Customs and Immigration could be cleared prior to departing Europe and so escape the lines at American airports. Very handy. I believe American Customs are also at Dublin Airport now.
Shannon was the main airport for European-NA travel early on as most airlines needed to refuel. Shannon was at the limit of the early plane's fuel load. Nothing nefarious about it. Dublin or, Belfast for that matter would have been more attractive and they certainly had the political horse-power to make it happen. Now, Shannon does primarily serve the West as the hub. Lot's of university students to haul for Galway City. And, then there are visitors like myself who much prefer life in the West as opposed to hanging around with a bunch of "Dubs." No offense to Dubliners but, well you know what I'm writing about. Not to far below the surface lies the heart and soul of a "bog trotter."
Also, Shannon, for a while was the only airport where American Customs and Immigration could be cleared prior to departing Europe and so escape the lines at American airports. Very handy. I believe American Customs are also at Dublin Airport now.
billkay: yeah, I have to sell some pipes due to some medical bills. I should be selling them here, but I was just lazy as it's easier to post pics on ebay. If anyone wants the pipe PM me and I'll close the auction and work out a deal with you. Is that against the rules here? If so, delete this post.
Thanks everyone - absolutely fascinating discussion, except the potato jokes (lol) 
I want that bog oak pipe. Living in Ireland all my life, I have only been aware of Peterson's as a pipe manufacturer. I have never heard of any Irish pipe carvers but who knows there may be one or two out there. Must see if I can find any BPL. Ireland is not a big pipe smoking country and the pub ban on smoking has really made pipe smoking invisible. It is one thing to pop out for a cigarette in the freezing cold and rain but a pipe is a different matter.
I want that bog oak pipe. Living in Ireland all my life, I have only been aware of Peterson's as a pipe manufacturer. I have never heard of any Irish pipe carvers but who knows there may be one or two out there. Must see if I can find any BPL. Ireland is not a big pipe smoking country and the pub ban on smoking has really made pipe smoking invisible. It is one thing to pop out for a cigarette in the freezing cold and rain but a pipe is a different matter.
The right "smirting" partner can make even the bleakest smoking area congenial. Don't you think? I've found it so. Many a pipe, usually a small cigar though, with a pint under a dripping roof with a bit of wind, I've had over the years. Not as comfy as being inside for sure but, still it's better than nothing.
Where in Ireland do you live, if I may be so impertinent to ask? I spend the majority of my time in the west, Mayo and Galway mostly.
Where in Ireland do you live, if I may be so impertinent to ask? I spend the majority of my time in the west, Mayo and Galway mostly.
Matchmaking Festival, right? Coast of Clare? I've been in the area, The Burren. Grand country! Last time I was in Galway City, three years ago, the store where I usually buy my blends no longer carried pipe tobacco. Cubans I could get, no pipes or tobacco. I thought it strange for a university town.
- Status