Lir is a relatively new name in the tin whistle world, but they’ve quickly gained attention for their handcrafted instruments made on the west coast of Ireland. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at their recent model — the PRO D aluminum, released in 2025.
Design & build
| Model: | Lir PRO |
|---|---|
| Key: | D (high/soprano) |
| Material: | Aluminum |
| Mouthpiece: | Delrin |
| Windway type: | Curved |
| Length: | 295mm (11.61″) |
| Weight: | 50g (1.76oz) |
| Bore diameter: | 12mm (~ 0.47″ or 15/32″) |
| Tuneable: | Yes |
As shown in the image, the body is made of aluminum with a smooth, brushed matte finish that gives the whistle a sleek, premium look. The mouthpiece is made of Delrin and features a curved windway. Overall, the build quality and attention to detail leave the impression of a precisely crafted instrument — everything feels clean, intentional, and well-finished. On top of that, Lir also offers optional custom engraving on the back of the whistle.
One small drawback, however, is the way the mouthpiece is cut — the edge that rests against the lips is quite flat and sharp. At times, it even felt a bit uncomfortable or scratchy while playing. Strangely, this isn’t the case with the basic Lir model, where that edge is slightly rounded and more polished.
The bore diameter is standard and on the narrower side, same as with most high D whistles. However, the tube walls are slightly thicker than usual, which gives the whistle a more solid, robust feel in the hands. Despite this, the aluminum body keeps the overall weight very manageable. It doesn’t feel heavier than other whistles in this range — in fact, it’s almost twice as light as the Lir Silver model.
Lir PRO – Sound samples and demonstration
The video below features samples from both octaves, beginning with a slower melodic phrase and moving into a faster tune to demonstrate how the Lir PRO responds in different playing contexts.
What really stands out here is the rich, full-bodied tone in the lower octave — deep and slightly haunting, reminiscent of iconic aluminum whistles like the Goldie/Overton. The upper octave also holds its own, maintaining fullness without sounding thin.
Compared to the Lir Silver model, the overall tone is a bit darker due to the added depth, but interestingly, ornamentation still cuts through really well, which isn’t always the case with whistles that lean toward a darker character. This makes it a great choice not only for ballads, where that mellow tone shines, but also for faster tunes.
Intonation is solid across both octaves, and C natural is well in tune using the standard cross-fingering “OXX OOO”.
How it handles from a player’s perspective
Playing this whistle, it’s clear that it offers a lot of flexibility. The slightly narrower windway provides more resistance (or backpressure), which translates to greater control over your dynamics. You can play it quietly or push for more volume with ease.
That said, this can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s quite difficult to overblow it accidentally, which is great for beginners. But on the other, if you don’t give it enough breath support, the tone can become a bit airy or less focused. Because of that, it might also be a good fit for players coming from other wind instruments, where stronger breath support is the norm, but also for more experienced whistle players who will be able to take full advantage of that control potential.
Ornaments come out crisp and clean, with good responsiveness — as you may have heard in the playing examples above.
The volume is slightly above average, which also makes this a good candidate for use in sessions or other group settings.
Your thoughts?
Have any questions or impressions about the Lir PRO? Feel free to drop a comment under the video on YouTube. We check in regularly and are always happy to chat, answer questions, or hear your experience with the whistle!
Lir PRO whistle comparisons
Below are a few quick sound comparisons between the Lir PRO D and other tin whistles. Each clip is recorded using the same microphone and settings to give a fair impression of tone and character, with raw, unprocessed sound.
More comparisons coming soon…
Please note: due to YouTube’s automatic audio normalization, real volume differences between whistles are effectively removed. That’s actually helpful in this case — since louder sounds are often perceived as better to the human ear on a subconscious level, this allows you to focus more objectively on tone, texture, and response.
Where to buy this whistle
If you’re considering picking up the Lir PRO, here are a few trusted places where it’s often available. The price is usually around $150, reflecting its hand-crafted build and premium materials.
- Lir Whistles (Ireland, ships worldwide)
- BigWhistle (UK, ships worldwide)
