By Adrian Mullan

In this era of multi-nationals and of High Streets the length and breadth of the country looking the same, it's becoming increasingly rare to find the specialist sole trader. But some fascinating small businesses are still thriving in the shadow of giants.

One such business is that owned by a former Tyrone family, now operating out of Enniskillen, providing musical instruments to individuals and bands throughout Ireland and further afield.

Owned by William and Alvin (formerly Pastor) Mullan, this is no mere retail outlet for flutes, saxophones and drums, rather it is a treasure trove of knowledge, of insights, of history, pride, and incredible craftsmanship.

Alvin is a well know figure in Omagh and Tyrone in general having been based in Gortmore Gardens for more than ten years during his career with the Northern Ireland Electricity Service.

Their business started up three years ago and William, 25, is the public face of the operation assisting in the stripping and preparation of instruments sent for repair, while the repairs themselves are carried out by Alvin.

"My father has been working on flutes for over 40 years and I have been playing from an early age," says William.

The modest young man is reluctant to blow his own trumpet but he has not just been playing, but playing brilliantly, so brilliant in fact that he has won two world championship medals and has played along with legendary classical flautist, James Galway.

Both men have a knowledge of their subject which is simply

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bewildering to the uninitiated, but whereas they now come together as Erne Musical Supplies, the enterprise transcends the realm of business and the deep love of the specialisms has meant that the pair have, if not the largest collections of flutes and drums in these isles, then certainly the largest in Ireland.

Amongst his many ingenious enterprises Alvin has fashioned a fife from a tree found in the Authuile Military Cemetery on the Somme where the remains of 'Young' Willie McBride of the 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers who died on April 22, 1916, are interred. Young McBride was made famous posthumously by Eric Bogle's classic song, The Green Fields of France.

Nor is the connection with the Inniskilling Fusiliers simply incidental, rather Alvin is a historian of considerable authority on the regiment, and William also works for the Inniskilling's museum.

Like many small businesses they have had to win their place in the market and they received no favours from the big companies. William had sought to work through the larger companies as an agent for them, but the companies were too full of their own importance, and so he set himself up as an importer and has now two of his own makes of flute bearing his brands 'Bellisle' flutes, of which he sold over 50 in a year, and the 'Mull-Wilk,' which he developed in conjunction with a friend from Cullybacky, Co. Antrim.

From concert flutes to fifes and piccolos, and from saxophones trumpets and clarinets to cymbals and marching drums, William is happy to provide anyone who seeks quality affordable products.

"We had people coming from all over Ireland for flutes including Cathal McConnell from the traditional band the Boys of the Lough, and the late Fermanagh traditionalist, Eddie Duffy.