How Many People Here Own or Have Played a Killarney Whistle?
How many people own or have played a Killarney whistle? I just bought a Killarney brass D and must say that I am quite impressed! I had never heard of them until very recently, and decided to buy one, since much of the things I had heard about them were very positive.
I think the thing I like most about the Killarney whistle is how great the second octave sounds. Many whistles can get a bit stuffy in the second octave, especially when you get up to G, but the Killarney is just as easy to play in the second octave as it is the first. The Killarney also requires very little breath, and some have even said that the nickel ones are a little too sensitive and tend to jump into the second octave while they are trying to play in the first. Apparently, when they first came out they were only available in nickel, but have recently added the brass option.
The Killarney is also nicely priced. I paid around $80 for a whistle and pouch, and considering the quality of the whistle, I would call it a great deal. If you want a great whistle that can compete with a Sindt or a Burke, but not pay hundreds for it, then the Killarney is a great alternative option.
So far, I have only met one person that owns a Killarney whistle, and most musicians that I have met have not heard of them, so I would be interested in hearing some feedback from other owners, or people who have tried them out. I think that they will certainly grow in popularity and gain a reputation as one of the best quality whistles on the market.