At first, as you approach The Cove, you could be forgiven for thinking that The 2016 Wicklow Octopus Wrestling Olympics was taking place.

And, as you get closer to the source of that wailing sound, and witness where it’s coming from…

Well, it would be very easy to believe that your first impression was a damn good one…

On closer inspection though, you’ll find that this is the mysterious figure known only as The Cove Piper, gracing Greystones seafront hideaway whenever the fancy or the wind takes him with his rather fine bagpipe playing.

And it is damn fine. Once the wind is blowing in the right direction. And through the right hole.

We had first approached this proud, marching and tootin’ Scot last May, but he was too shy to talk to the Guide. Today, we got lucky, sitting down with Keith for a quick chat about his inspiration, the great Terry Tully, playing with the Thiepval Memorial Pipeband, and how moving to Ireland from Scotland 16 years ago rekindled this childhood passion…

Now, go check out our Cove archives right here.