More than 30,000 take to the streets of Limerick for international parade

THE country’s largest marching band walked away with the top prize at yesterday’s International Band Parade and Competition which attracted more than 30,000 people onto the streets of Limerick.

The Clondalkin Youth Band was crowned 2011 Parade Champions and also received the prize for Best Musical Performance.

Now in its 41st year, the International Band Parade and Competition saw 15 marching bands from across Ireland and the US parade through the streets of Limerick.

The musical parade is part of the Limerick St Patrick’s Festival and was led by The Irish Army Band. All of the bands on the day performed a free outdoor concert afterwards in Arthur’s Quay Park where the winners of the competition were announced.

Speaking about his band’s victory, Vincent Nolan, director of the Clondalkin Youth Band, said he was “flabbergasted”.

The Dublin-based band is 25 years old and boasts 100 members ranging in age from 10 to 25.

“We are absolutely flabbergasted and thrilled to bits. It’s our first time back in Limerick in five or six years and having had the experience of St Patrick’s Day parades makes a huge difference to the quality of the bands for an event like today,” Mr Nolan said.

“We have 100 members here today ranging in age from 10 to 25 and there is great credit due to them and to the local community in Clondalkin for all the hard work,” he added.

The Clondalkin winners joined a host of marching bands taking part in the parade including seven of Limerick’s finest bands.

The Kellswater Flute Band from Northern Ireland took home the Best International Band award, while The Santa Clara High School Band from California was given the Limerick St Patrick’s Festival award.

Best Irish Band was won by Mullingar Town Band, with West and District Pipe Band taking the Best Local Band category.

Limerick City Brass and Reed Band won the Most Entertaining Performance while CBS Youth Pipe Band won the prize for Best Uniform.

The Special Judges Award went to St Brigid’s Accordion Band from Armagh.

Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Maria Byrne, said the International Band Parade and Competition was now a firm favourite among bands throughout the country and was growing in stature internationally.

“We have been delighted with the interest shown from bands to take part in this year’s event, particularly musical groups from Northern Ireland and the USA,” she said. “This is the only such competition in Ireland and we want to continue to grow the event so I’m particularly pleased that there is such interest being shown from marching bands in the US who are already planning their trips for the next few years.”