Flood-hit town gets back in tune for brass band championships

The largest gathering of brass bands in the country will this weekend raise the spirits of people in a flood-hit town.

A record number of entries has been received for the South of Ireland Band Championships, which has been held annually for 33 years in Clonakilty, West Cork.

Co-ordinator of the event Eileen Kingston said: “More than 1,000 musicians and supporters are coming from all over the country. But all our thoughts are with the businesses and the individuals so badly affected by last week’s flooding.