Band's trip to Dublin is called off

An American band planning to perform at a St Patrick's Day concert in Ireland is staying at home because foot and mouth disease has led to the cancellation of the event.

The Spirit of Black Rock Fife & Drum Corps will stay home in Bridgeport, Connecticut, despite nearly two years of planning and fundraising for the Irish trip.

It will instead march again in Bridgeport's St Patrick's Day parade.

"We're all pretty disappointed," said Bill Dwyer, the corps' leader and drum major. "This trip was very special to all of us. Maybe we can do it next year instead."

The 22-member fife and drum corps had been scheduled to march in Dublin on St Patrick's Day and in another parade the next day in Limerick.

The Spirit of Black Rock Fife & Drum Corps, established in 1986, features music and uniforms from the American Civil War era.