Newmarket band pipes up to celebrate 55 years on the go
BAND members, their families and friends gathered in Glash Community Centre last Saturday night to mark the 55th anniversary of the founding of Newmarket Pipe Band.
PRO Dermot Jones explained to The Corkman that the band has been part of the fabric of the local area since 1963. “It is a great amenity that any village or town has a band of its own, which can be called upon to mark any occasion, thereby adding colour and notoriety to the event,” Dermot said.
“Thankfully, this has been the case in Newmarket over the past 55 years and, indeed, the local people appreciate the band’s involvement in sporting and cultural events,” Dermot added.
Pipe Major Alison Fitzpatrick thanked all those who continue to support the band. “We really appreciate their generosity,” she said.
The band rehearse every Thursday night from 8pm in their clubhouse on the Kerry Road in town and are always eager to welcome new members.
Anyone interested can either turn up at rehearsals or contact Mairead at 087 7174854.
A wonderful book on the history of Newmarket Pipe Band, penned by Dermot Jones, can be purchased locally or from band members.
Pipe bands all over Ireland and the UK will take part in a special tribute this Remembrance Day and the Newmarket Band, led by Pipe Major Alison Fitzpatrick, will perform ‘ The Battle’s O’er’ at the cross in the centre of Newmarket at 6.30am, the exact time the armistice was signed on November 11, 1918 to mark the end of WWI.
The piece, which was composed by William Robb, pays tribute to the 16 million people who died in the Great War, and the pipers who led the men into battle.
“It will be most gratifying for our band members to mark the ending of World War One,” Dermot Jones said. “Very many Cork men perished as well as 2,000 pipers who bravely led the troops into battle. Among those we salute are the six Newmarket men who gave their lives in that war,” he added.
Locally, the O’Sullivan brothers from Scarteen St and the McAuliffe brothers from Glenamuckla lost their young lives. Their memories will be honoured along with the thousands of brave Irishmen on November 11.