COLUMBUS, Ohio — When there are Irish flags flying and bagpipes humming, there’s a good chance it’s St. Patrick’s Day. The day is a cultural and religious celebration that commemorates Saint Patrick and Christianity in Ireland.
“St. Patrick's Day really became a day of national identity, a day of saying, you know, I'm in America. I'm proud to be American, but I come from Irish roots,” said Mic Trenor, a bagpiper in Columbus. “I don't want to forget where my people came from, and the values they distilled in me.”
Mic Trenor comes from Irish ancestors. His grandparents on both sides immigrated to America from Ireland at the beginning of 20th Century. Trenor plays the bagpipes, one of the oldest instruments in the world, and one that is a staple to Irish culture.
“I take a lot of pride in the fact that I'm playing an instrument that my ancestors, dating hundreds and hundreds of years ago, might have played in Ireland for their clans, for their chieftains, for their families,” said Trenor. “The pipes, even the Irish war pipes and great highland pipes, are a huge part of Irish culture. Today, a lot of traditional Irish bands utilize that Uilleann pipes, which are played with the elbow, and the Scots. They have the border pipes, the parlour pipes, the shuttle pipes, there's so many different kinds of pipes out there. But I still, I prefer the great highland pipes.”
He’s been playing the bagpipes for more than 40 years. It’s his profession and passion. He plays at weddings, birthday parties, funerals, memorials, at pubs and much more.
Trenor said he loves that America is a blend of many different cultures. He thinks it’s important to embrace and welcome other cultures, as well as celebrate your own. He plays the bagpipes to embrace his roots and keep Irish traditions alive.
“It's very easy to forget where you came from,” said Trenor. “No matter what your culture is, if you don't pass down stories, if you don't pass down history, if you don't pass down your own unique personal family flavor of your culture, then who will? And your children will forget and their children will forget and so on and so forth.”
Derek Warfield is a singer from Ireland. He and his band, The Young Wolfe Tones, came to Columbus while on tour to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and perform at Byrne’s Pub. Warfield has been making music for more than 60 years and said Ireland has a rich musical heritage and Irish music tells the story of the land and its people. He said when people immigrate to America, the one thing they can always bring is their music.
“Music has carried the story of Ireland, the aspirations of our people, it has strengthened our nationality and identity,” said Warfield. “And it's being carried by our diaspora all over the world. And evidence of that is this young man playing the pipes here.”
The Irishmen hope that as people drink green beer and eat green eggs on St. Patrick’s Day, they’ll also listen to the hum of the bagpipes and remember why we celebrate this day.
“Happy St. Patrick's Day, Ohio. I hope you all stay safe,” said Trenor.
To learn more about Mic Trenor and his music, visit here. To learn more about Derek Warfield and The Young Wolfe Tones, visit here.