‘We played for the Kennedys’y
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the parish church and at Stephen’s Cemetery every Easter and at the Wexford and New Ross St Patrick’s Day parades.’
‘The band also gives a recital in Rowe Street Church in Wexford and participates in all local community events. We want to keep the tradition going for many years to come.’
The band helped commemorate the centenary of the Easter Rising, a year in which they also honoured the centenary of the execution of Michael O’Hanrahan, having previously done so on the 50th anniversary of his execution in 1966.
The band played a part in the 1798 bicentenary commemorations when Celtic crosses were erected all over County Wexford.
The pipe band was also kept busy performing at hurling and football matches on Sunday. As members of the Irish Pipe Band Association, the New Ross Pipe Band played for the first time in Dublin in Croke Park in October 1953.
THEIR marching and deportment earned the band members many favourable comments, so much so that two of the band members were chosen to join an All Irelandd Piper Band the following year to play att the Celtic Festival in Brittany, France. Since then many groups of the FCA Pipe Band have travelled all over Europe and in 1985 the band lead the Irishh Army Pilgrimage in Lourdes.
Over six days they gave recitals daily on the main podium in the square in front of the main basilica. They played in the local hospital and at various locations around Lourdes town.
The band also lead the daily procession to thee Grotto. Another memorable band outing wass President John F Kennedy’s visit in 1963 and thee visit of Senator Ted Kennedy the previous year. All band members were presented with sparrow tie pins which were handmade by John Finn and Martin Saddler of Mary Street for the occasion. Martin Bradley was one of the men presented with a sparow pin on the steps of the Royal Hotel by Ted Kennedy, the brother of the late president. ‘The tie pin is a replica of the PT 109 torpedo boat which
John F Kennedy was a commanding officer on during the Second World War. Martin played on the band in 1962 and again in 2013 at the JFK50 event, a record for the band,’ Mr Bennett said.
Larry Murray of the 10th Infintry Battalion New Ross was the first to be issued with the sparow.
The band also played for President Eisenhower’s ambassador to Ireland, Scott McLeod and for successive Irish Presidents and Irish army chiefs of staff. Another highlight was the recital with the Comoradh Concert in 1998 held in the parish church in New Ross with the combined military brass bands. ‘We also played for Jean Kennedy Smith in 2008 and for Kennedy family members at the JFK50 event in June 2013.’
The band recently gave a recital in St Mary’s Church and played in Wexford town for the 100th anniversary commemoration of the death of Major Willie Redmond. ‘Over our 70-year history we have been part of many special civic, military, social, religious events all over the country.’
The band practices every Monday night in the Youth Centre, Nunnery Lane, New Ross under the baton of Piper Major Dickie O’Neill who has given over 50 years loyal service. New members are welcome to join what is a New Ross institution.