Busy time for Carlingford Pipe Band members

The St Patrick’s day festivities proved a busy time for Carlingford Pipe Band who took part in two parades as well as performing in the village centre.

Their engagements got underway on March 10 when they performed in the very successful Inniskeen St Patricks Day Parade.

The parade was strongly supported and was very well organised by the Inniskeen committee who host their parade on the Sunday prior to the National holiday.

St Patricks Day itself saw the Pipe Band leading the Newry City Parade through the city streets led by St. Patrick himself, watched by thousands of people who thronged the streets to see the parade. The weather stayed kind to allow the Pipe Band, numerous floats, youth groups, vintage vehicles, scouts and other performers parade from the Quays, along Merchants Quay to the Town Hall and back into the city centre via The Mall.

This was the first big parade for many of the junior members giving them the opportunity to experience marching and playing for a considerable distance. Something that they were well prepared for and enjoyed thoroughly.

The band then returned to Carlingford where they where they tuned up at the Foy Centre before playing through the village at 3.30pm.

The heavy rain cleared to allow the band play its traditional route down to the village square through Tholsel Street where there was a large crowd waiting to be entertained by the Pipes and drums under the control of Pipe Major Sean Rice.

The band wishes to thank An Garda Siochana for their assistance and traffic control in the village, to Declan and Majella Savage for providing the refreshments at the Foy Centre and to Aidan Baker, from Ma’Bakers for the very kind donation towards the maintenance of the Pipe Band.

The Pipe Band would also like to express their sincere condolences to piper Bernie McCabe on the passing of his wife Teresa and brother in recent weeks. Teresa was a great supporter of the band and will be missed by all.