Centenary commemoration of RIC attack on brass band

A HUGE crowd gathered around the CYMS hall on Monday to watch the Newmarket Pipe Band march down Main Street to the site of the old RIC barracks, in commemoration of an attack that took place there 100 years ago.

On September 30, 1919, members of the League of the Cross Brass Band played around town in protest of an imposed curfew. As the band marched down Main Street they were viciously attacked by the RIC and their instruments destroyed.

On Monday evening, the pipe band led the crowd into the CYMS where,along with the Kiskeam Brass Band, entertained all with a selection of tunes. They raised the roof with a powerful and moving version of Amazing Grace, bringing a tear to many an eye in the hall.

Dermot Jones, of the Newmarket Pipe Band, was first up to introduce the event. He gave special thanks to those who had loaned some of the actual instruments that had been damaged in the attack and also to members of the Credit Union who had put together displays detailing some of the history of those times.

He gave special mention to the Community Development Association for sponsoring the food and also to the IRD for their advice and covering the cost of the hall.

Local historian and musician Raymond O’Sullivan followed with a fascinating talk setting out the background of the local brass band, their significance to the volunteers and why they were such a target for the RIC.

“The country at the time was in open rebellion and the RIC saw that these bands kindled the fire of patriotism,” he said. The curfew at the time caused great inconvenience to the people of the town, running from 7pm until early morning.

Junior members of the league of the cross band marched through the town in defiance of the curfew and were baton charged by the RIC as they came down the main street. Their instruments were destroyed and, according to Raymond, the band never played again.

The two bands closed out the night with the national anthem, as the whole hall, young and old, stood together and sang along in honour of those brave young men and women who went before us.

Well done to Newmarket Pipe Band for putting together such a great event. You can keep track of the band on facebook: @nemwarketpipeband; new members are always welcome and they practice at their band house on the Kerry Road at 8pm every Friday night.