There are no historical records of the use of the name or the term uilleann pipes before the 20th century. They are known as the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland. Originally known in English as union pipes, their current name is a partial translation of the Irish term Piobai uilleann (literally, "pipes of the elbow"), referring to their method of inflation. Grattan Flood invented the uilleann pipes, and their name stuck.
It's hard to pinpoint the precise origins of the uilleann pipes. It is said that a bellow-driven version of the instrument was developed in the late 17th century to the early 18th century, and that the first mention of them is in 1619. Pipe music is a very important part of Celtic culture and tradition. The bagpipes in general were originally war pipes. The Bagpipes are still used by the military today because of their power and history. According to some sources, the first bagpipes used in Ireland were very similar to those found in the highlands of Scotland. These pipes are referred to as "great Irish war pipes". It's a highly-developed instrument with a strong tradition that dates back many generations. This instrument is an important way of socializing. It plays an integral role in life events such as weddings and funerals, where it provides a sense of rootedness and a connection to the past.
However, the uilleann name stuck by the 20th century because of the ability to play indoors. English landowners were a main force driving their original development. English customs and culture moved music and life indoors. For quite some time, the uilleann pipes seemed in grave danger of extinction. However, organizations like Na Piobari Uilleann have helped revive them as well as make sure they survive by urging flourishing musicians to promote the musical instrument. Through a series of publications, seminars, workshops, and performances, the NPU has been largely responsible for a huge increase in the use and appreciation of the instrument since then, which has resulted in a flowering of the art in modern times, with more players than ever before.
Nowadays, almost all Irish traditional bands have a set of uilleann pipes. This is partly due to the Chieftains and other bands before them. These pipes can also be heard on the streets of Galway, Cork, and other southern and western towns. Some buskers even use them to play American folk and pop songs. They get Lucky sounds incredible from the pipes.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/uilleann-piping-01264) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uilleann_pipes) (https://www.yourirish.com/culture/music/uilleann-pipes) (https://blogsarchive.sites.haverford.edu/celticfringe/2017/02/10/uilleann-pipes/#:~:text=Uilleann%20pipes%20are%20a%20type,sound%20has%20become%20distinctly%20Irish.) (https://www.celticmusicinstruments.com/uilleann-pipes-page/)