Pipe Band in Fine Tune: St Joseph’s Pipe Band compete in World Championships

St Joseph’s Pipe Band, hailing from Clondalkin, competed in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow Green last month, wries Ryan Butler.

It was the end of their 2023 season, as they finished 12th in Grade 2.

According to P/M Tim Farrelly, the band is “primarily focused on competition but does make some ceremonial and community appearances throughout the year.”

The “musical repertoire” usually starts getting prepared around October and much time is dedicated to arranging tunes – they practice at least once a week in the off-season.

After each season ends, they take a four- to six-week break before starting the next season.

Preparation is a heavy process as the Pipe Corps works independently of the Drum Corps.

When asked where the band goes from here, Tim states that “for us, the focus is on longevity and ensuring the band remains strong and deep-rooted in the local community,” as they are using a development group to teach piping and drumming.

They also want to “sustain a good grade 2 band and maintain a high musical standard.”

Tim would like to thank Philip Duffy, Brendan Boland, and more former members for reforming the band in 2016, Margaret Saunders, Christina Boland, Leo Bissett, and more who have done “Trojan work” for the band, as well as the original founders and those who have served in the band in the past such as Eamonn McDonnell, Francie Boland, Jimmy Gallagher, and Jack Tully.

Anyone interested in joining the band can contact them via Facebook.

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