By the early eighteenth century the somewhat improved uilleann pipes were replacing the harp as the preferred instrument for most kinds of Irish music . During the latter half of the eighteenth century, the introduction of the keyed chanter, the regulators, and other refinements by such makers as Egan of Dublin led to the emergence of what is perhaps the most sophisticated form of bagpipes in the world. The history of piping in Ireland extends over a span of 13 centuries.
References occur in ancient Irish annals to the cuisleannach or pipe blower.
It is not certain exactly when bagpipes first appeared in Ireland, but it seems certain that in their earliest form they were similar to the Scottish bagpipes of today. Deriving from this older form of pipes the distinctively Irish uilleann pipes are undoubtedly the most sophisticated and complicated form of bagpipes in existence. It is believed that the present form emerged around the beginning of the 18th century. The chanter on which the melody is played has a range of two octaves as compared with the Scottish pipes which have a range of nine notes. In the case of the pipes in concert pitch the range extends upwards from the D above middle C of the piano.