Clon to host band championships
The piece, which was created to commemorate the town’s 400th anniversary, has been written by well-known Northern Ireland composer Brendan Breslin.
The piece, ‘Bound for Bantry Bay’, will be performed by the Lourdes Brass Band from Drogheda during the Band Championships in the town next Saturday which, organisers say has attracted a record number of participants.
The town’s Old-Time Fair, which was once an annual event is also being revived as part of the festivities, filling Clonakilty’s picturesque streets with everything from steam engines, horses and jaunting cars to displays of traditional skills from black-smithing to butter-making, pottery, lace-making and basket-making. Residents have also been urged to dress up in old-fashioned outfits by Old Time Festival organiser Bobby Blackwell.
A record 25 bands from all over the country are coming for the 34th annual Band Championships:
“We are thrilled by the level of interest, particularly during these times when bands incur so much expense to travel to Clonakilty this is an increase on last year. This is a day of completely free entertainment,” said Eileen Kingston, a member of the organising committee.
The championships, will this year be adjudicated by the well-known Dr Evelyn Grant of Lyric FM and by the renowned musician Alan Fernie.
