After over 80 years
and Waterford, winning in their section there.
Every Christmas the band plays in all churches, also in the town centre on Christmas Eve. It has a flag day and a Christmas raffle. The band also receives a small grant from the municipal council towards its costs.
The HFC Brass Band is particularly active from June to September playing on the quay most Saturday’s. ‘We love doing charity work. We were very pleased to have been invited to perform fundraising concerts for Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Kilkenny and Mallow at the request of Liam Heffernan from Kilkenny. The concert in Mallow in May raised over €2,000 for the hospital. Another concert in Mallow is planned for May. Over the past year the band have also been invited to play at the Carrick on Shannon Festival. This has proven to be very successful for the band as the large crowds present were very supportive and appreciative of the music.’
Forthcoming events include performing in St Mary’s Church of Ireland, New Ross, on October 26, to help raise funds for the Church of Ireland.
They will be joined by the FCA Pipe Band, New Ross Singers and The Templemichael Céilí Band from north Wexford and south Wicklow which have varied musical influences. People attending the concert can expect flowing, sweet rhythms from the band and a rich and varied selection of songs from the HFC Brass Band and the New Ross Singers.
‘From an ecumenical point of view and from a supporters point of view the band is there to help everybody and every year we play there.’
HFC Brass Band Secretary Michael Connolly said: ‘ To me, the band is everything. Nick Conney is at its heart. He has taught half the town how to play music. I didn’t teach my children how to play, Nick did and he has taught all 24 of the current band members. We always had a spiritual director and they were always very stern and it’s only over the last 20 years that we are out on our own.’
Mr Cooney said: ‘ There is no point having all these instruments and not playing for anybody. There is nothing worse than not having an audience. If we can do a bit of good for somebody along the way all the better. It all comes back to family.’
The band committeee are: Nicholas Cooney, chairman and musical director, Michael Connolly, Secretary, Elaine Bradley, treasurer, Jane Connolly, Shona Rawson, John Finn, Laura Bradley and William McCormack.