Music’s in the air as lovebirds fly south for Clon event

LOVEBIRDS Leeanne and John Kelly will trumpet their newly married bliss at next weekend’s annual South of Ireland Band Championships in Clonakilty.

The town has a special meaning for the musical couple who fell in love whilst competing in the championships there six years ago.

And there hasn’t been a ‘bum’ note since. Just back from their honeymoon following their May 27 wedding, the duo — both members of the Lourdes Brass Band in Drogheda — are now planning a nostalgic trip back to the picturesque West Cork town for this year’s competition which takes place on Saturday.

Leeanne and John fell in love back in 2005 after they travelled to Clonakilty with other members of the band for the hugely popular annual band championships which this summer celebrates its 32nd year.

That year, however, the competition wasn’t the only thing they won, quips Leeanne, 27, who plays the tenor horn: “The band won the competition, but I won the best trophy.”

The couple first met years ago when Leeanne joined the band’s majorettes wing at the age of four, while IT technician and new hubbie John, who plays the E Flat Bass, joined the band at age seven.

“The two of us have been associated with the band for 23 years,” says Leeanne, who works in the HR sector.

As they grew up, the band — which played at their wedding — became a crucial part of their lives, and, with two rehearsals a week and performances at the weekends, that’s something which isn’t about to change.

“The band is like family,” says Leeanne, who says she’s looking forward to visiting Clonakilty again for the championships.

“We’re going down next Friday and we’ll do a street gig and we’ll attend the competition on Saturday before returning home on Sunday. The band is very much part of our lives. It’s much like our family at this stage.”

And if all that wasn’t enough, there’s also another family link as both their mothers were on the band’s majorettes committee at one time, while John’s sister was one of the majorette teachers.

Musicians aged 12 to 80 come from all over the country to participate in the Band Championships in Clonakilty. This year, the event, which takes place on Saturday July 2 and annually attracts more than 1,000 visitors to the town, will showcase bands from around Ireland.