The earliest references to piping are found in the ancient law tracts and annals up to thirteen centuries ago. Some high crosses have carved depictions of early pipes (10th Century) and from the 15th Century onwards the references become more frequent. Before the 18th century all references to pipes relate to mouth-blown instruments.
The Union or Uilleann Pipes, the Irish bagpipe, is believed to have originated about the beginning of the 18th Century, although no exact source of development has been found. It is thought the name 'Union Pipes' refer to the union of sound produced by Chanter, Drones, and Regulators. The word 'Union' can possibly also be attributed to a corruption of the Irish word 'Uilleann' which means elbow, and compliments the change from mouth blown pipes to bellows driven pipes, the bellows being powered by the elbow. The present form of the Uilleann Pipes, with the drones and three regulators, came into being at the beginning of the 19th century.

Piping was at its height in pre-famine Ireland (pre 1847) and was not confined to any social stratum. It was deemed a hightly respectable profession in Ireland due to the peoples' demand for music, dancing and entertainment in general. Emigration and death in the second half of the century, led to a decline in piping and by the beginning of the 20th century, the last of the professional travelling pipers in Ireland were mostly destitute, finding refuge in the workhouses. Thankfully, due to the admirable efforts and aid of the Gaelic League, the Feis Ceoil and various pipers' clubs, the 20th century saw the revival of the Uilleann Pipes. Today, this instrument is played by people all over the world.