Carlingford Pipe Band enjoy visit to US Ambassador’s Phoenix Park residence

Carlingford Pipe Band had the privilege to be invited to the residence of the US Ambassador to Ireland in Phoenix Park, Dublin, recently.

The invitation was to acknowledge the unique performance the Pipe Band gave in King Johns Castle, for President Biden during is visit last year and also to recognise the junior members of the band that were unable to perform and meet the President last April.

The Pipe Band played as the marched up the avenue to the residence where they were greeted by The Ambassador, Claire D. Cronin.

She then took the band on a personal guided tour of the great house where she elaborated on the many documents along with the many photographs of Presidents and celebrities who were guests at the house previously.

Refreshments were served in the ballroom and the Ambassador gave a brief history of the house and grounds and explained how she, a girl from Boston with Irish heritage, became the Ambassador to Ireland. Questions and answers flowed both directions and it was very informal and relaxed occastion.

The visit concluded with the Ambassador being presented with an Easter Egg by the junior members and in return the Ambassador presented Pipe Major Seán Rice and Secretary Liam Fretwell with a commemorative book that was produced by the Biden Administration in relation to his visit to Ireland, which featured his visit to King Johns Castle.

The band would like to express special thanks to Councillor Andrea McKevitt for all the background work she did with the Pipe Band over the past year and for assisting with the organisation of the visit. Thanks too to Ciara McKevitt for taking all the memorable photographs.

The Pipe Band resume training on Monday and Wednesday nights in St. Michaels Hall Carlingford preparing for a busy summer season.