In early 1951 a small group of persons met in the town of Mullingar to discuss the formation of a local branch of the (Uilleann) Pipers' Club, which was centred in Dublin. Amongst them were representatives of the Pipers' Club itself, the Feis Lar na hEireann Committee and Westmeath Co. G.A.A. No Midlands Pipers' Club was in fact formed as a result, but it was from that meeting that the fledgeling organisation, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann emerged - granted in a very embryonic stage. Willie Reynolds was one of those at the foundation of Comhaltas.