Michael & Evelyn Cronnolly - M&E Flutes

Video Clips

The M&E Traditional D Flute (2.3MB)
The M&E Keyed D Flute (1.5MB)
The M&E Eb Flute (837K)
The M&E F Flute (932K)
D Whistle (1MB)
This next video is a little bit shakey, but I just had to show you the pie!
Button Box and Rhubarb Pie (2.5MB)

We visited with Michael and Evelyn on April 27, 2006. Before our trip to Ireland I had printed out their instructions for locating their home, complete with all the waypoints and related photos that are on the M&E Flutes website. They do live in a more secluded area and traffic was sparse on the back-country roads to the Cronnolly's. One of the only vehicles that I met was about halfway from Swinford to their home. It was Michael coming to meet us. Soon after arriving and meeting Evelyn, Michael pulled out his button accordion and began entertaining us with his music. Evelyn served us sandwiches and Rhubarb pie with a Strawberry yogurt topping. We felt so welcomed by this humble man and his sweet wife. He showed us his flute and whistle shop, playing some of his flutes for us and even a whistle, which I captured with my video camera.         Michael builds roads for a living, specializing in bridges. Flutes and whistles are a hobby and he said that he has played music most of his life. I have a cylindrical flute made by Doug Tipple but have been wanting to try a conical bore flute. I couldn't even get a sound out of one, but Michael can sure make them sing. I fully intended to purchase a tradtional D flute from him, but he talked me out of it, saying that I should work on the one I have for awhile before investing in another. He's right.         Michael showed me a soprano D whistle that he had made for himself out of a special polymer. It was a larger bore than any other D whistle that I have played, with an outside diameter of 13/16" (21mm) and a 5/8" (16mm) bore. This is a very loud whistle, great for playing in large sessions. It's a bright orange color. See photos here. I asked about the price of having one made, and Michael insisted that I have this one. I must admit that it didn't take much arm twisting to make me accept his generous offer. Our visit with the Cronnollys was a highlight of our trip and we will never forget the hospitality and kindness that they extended to us.

Photos

Future Flutes or Whistles

Michael's Lathe

Michael's other Lathe

The Workbench

A Wood Relief Carving by Michael

Vicki listening closely

Vicki & The Cronnollys

Gary & The Cronnollys