Limerick band parade draws 600 overseas musicians

LIMERICK’S International Band Parade and Competition next Sunday has attracted almost 600 musicians from marching bands who will travel from the US, Germany, Africa and Northern Ireland.

The 80-strong Pride of Acadiana band from Lafayette in Louisiana, US, will perform in Ireland for the first time.

Other large marching bands include Banna Cluain Meala from Clonmel (100 musicians) and the 84-strong Mullingar Town Band.

The Ballyduff Silver Band from Northern Ireland, the Quintessenz Band from Germany and the African I Love My Life Musical Band will join six of Limerick’s finest bands for the parade which gets under way at noon.

The parade will start in O’Connell Avenue and end in Arthur’s Quay Park with a free concert.

Among the Limerick bands taking part are the Boherbuoy Brass and Reed, Limerick City Brass and Reed, St Mary’s Fife and Drum, CBS Youth Pipe Band and Newcastle West and District Pipe Band. The Boherbuoy Band is the city’s oldest, established 160 years ago and the St Mary’s Fife and Drum has players ranging from 10 years to 80, while the CBS Youth Pipe Band is the longest serving youth band in Limerick city.

The winners will also be announced in Arthur’s Quay Park after the parade.

Parade organiser Fran O’Donnell said: “This year is a special year as it is the 40th anniversary of the event.” There are prizes for best overall band, best dressed, best musical performance, most entertaining performance, judges’ award, best Irish band and best local band.