The History of
St. Mary’s All Ireland Fife & Drum Band, Limerick.
By Patrick J.McNamara,
Hon Life Member.
www.limerickhistoricalpublications.com
In the autumn of 1885,
just twenty years after the end of the American Civil War, St. Mary’s
Fife and Drum Band was founded. From its humble beginnings in the Yellow
Driller on the Kings Island, it progressed next to Nicholas Street then
onto Barrington’s Mall, Fish Lane and finally in 1922 the new band
room was built in Mary Street. The brainchild of Patrick ‘Todsy’
McNamara, an Abbey Fisherman, many of who formed the original band.
Among the founding
fathers of the band were Paddy Salmon, Steve Collins, Patrick and Michael
McNamara (two of the famous McNamara’s Band quartet) Paddy
(Halley) Kennedy, Jack Gogarty, Jim Ring, Paddy (Sparrow) O’Donoghue
and his two brothers, Ned Walsh, John Lynch, Tom Forward, Jack McNamara,
John Hayes, Jim Doyle, Gerry, Michael and Jimmy Frawley.
The musical talent
of the band must have been unique, at its first attempt in September
1885, the band won the All Ireland Championship under the baton of maestro
Steve Collins. The band line up on that occasion was J. Hayes, J. McNamara,
J. Ring, J. Sullivan, T. Forward, J. Gogarty, J. Donoghue, P. McNamara
(Bandmaster) J. O’Donovan and J. Salmon. Other championship successes
were to follow; Limerick 1908, 1909, 1919; Waterford 1911, 1912; there
were no contests during World War I or the years during the Anglo –
Irish and Civil Wars.
The Great War saw the
involvement of members of the band and the death of three of them. All
three were members of the Royal Munster Fusiliers and all three were
killed in action within six months of each other in 1915.
The band again achieved
success at Limerick in 1927, 1928, and 1930. Cork in 1931, Limerick
1947. In 1963 and 1964 the band were again winners at the Limerick and
Waterford venues. Dublin 1965 and Waterford in 1975 where the band “stole
the show", winning 1st prize in all categories as well as the prize
for Best Conductor, the late George Tweedle. In 1988 the band was again
successful under the baton of John McNamara. There are only three surviving
members who won six Republic of Ireland Championships with the band—Paddy
‘Whacker’ Casey, Jack McGrath and John McNamara.
In 1985, the late W.W.
Gleeson, a local historian and honorary band member wrote the following
passage in the bands centenary commemorative booklet published that
year: I well remember the early days of 2RN (Radio Eireann) when
listening in St. Mary’s Band room to parish-born Paddy O’Donovan–Reid,
recording to the accompaniment of his wife, the former Ms Elizabeth
Clifford his favourite piece, Bird Songs at Eventide, The same afternoon,
two young officers from the Army School of Music, called to the home
of Patrick Salmon, seeking his aid in the collection of traditional
Irish ballads and classical music, at the request of Col. Fritz Brasse.
As was to be expected from a man of Salmon’s kind-hearted nature,
the request was granted.
In 1922, a proposal
was made to visit America with the intention of taking part in the famous
New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade; alas, due to civil unrest in the
City, this was not to be, it would take another 70 years for the dream
to come a reality! It finally happened In March 1992. The bands first
American engagements were in New Haven and Meriden, Connecticut, where
they participated in the local St. Patrick’s Day Parade; this was
followed by the fulfilment of their 70-year-old dream, to play in the
New York Parade on St. Patrick’s Day. This was an experience to be
savoured and never forgotten.
During their American
tour the Band journeyed to Glastonbury, Connecticut, to pay tribute
to a fellow ex-band member, Michael Danford, who had emigrated to the
United States some years previously. Presentation were made on behalf
of the band to Michael, who delighted in hearing the band playing some
of his favourite marches, alas, Michael is now longer with us. Beannacht
De lena anam.
During the Band’s
visit to New Haven in 1992, they established strong links with the Stony
Creek Drum Corps (who visited Limerick in 1996). The Stony Creek Band
was formed in 1886, one year after the foundation of St. Mary’s Band.
The American contingent also included top representatives from several
other American marching bands including Lancraft and the Westbrook Drum
Corps. Also included in the group were members of The Connecticut Governor's
Guard, they were welcomed in a special ceremony held in St. Mary’s
Band Hall. The visitors made presentations to St. Mary’s, including
greetings from the Governor of Connecticut, the Key to the City and
various gifts of band memorabilia; their American hosts also presented
them with photographs and citations. St. Mary’s in return presenting
their American guests with similar mementos from Limerick. In
his welcoming speech, the St. Mary’s Band President, Jack McGrath,
noted that North Haven was a fishing area in Connecticut and the relationship
between the two bands was appropriate because St. Mary’s Band was
originally mainly made up of old Abbey Fishermen.
Another first for the
band was the official opening by Junior Minister Willie O’Dea in 1993
of the St. Mary’s Band Museum. The museum features all the memorabilia,
trophies and prizes won since 1885, covering 120 years of music by St.
Mary's. The museum was named in honour of Patrick McNamara, the person
who first had the vision to suggest developing and building their own
band room and dance hall.
Michael Burke, The
band’s Honorary President up to the time of his death, was also honoured
and remembered by having one of the display cabinets named in his memory.
An appeal at the official opening was made to the general public who
may have any artefacts associated with the band to consider donating
them to the Museum. Junior Minister Willie O’Dea, in his remarks at
the opening said “It’s great to see tradition, particularly in
this historic part of Limerick being preserved in such a wonderful manner
". Band President Jack McGrath added “it was up to the
present members to keep the tradition going and pass it on to those
coming in after them”
The band is recognized world-wide due to its participation in the International Band Parade, held in Limerick every year, during St. Patrick’s week. The following is a translation of an article from the French journal Flutes du Monde, published 1993:
A fine example
of the Irish flute & drum band is provided by a remarkable hundred-year-old
band, The St. Mary’s All-Ireland Prize Band in Limerick. The band
(founded in 1885) won the All-Ireland Championship for flute & drum
bands twelve times between 1885 and 1947 as well as the Republic of
Ireland Championship in 1963, 1964, 1975, 1986 and 1988. In 1992 the
band put into effect a project proposed in 1922: a trip to the U.S.
to take part in the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The band now
has 30 or so players. The repertoire of the St. Mary’s All-Ireland
Prize Band includes classical pieces, marches and traditional Irish
tunes.
Since its foundation
in 1885, the Band has had just five Presidents. They are Patrick McNamara,
Paddy O’Mahony, Michael Burke, Aidan Hurley and Jack McGrath. Some
of the honorary members include W.W.Gleeson, Joe "The Dane"
Hayes, Frances Condell, First Lady Mayor of Limerick, Jim Kemmy, Christy
Nash, Isle of Wight, Monsignor Bourke and Jack County of Hew Haven,
Connecticut.
Loyalty to the band
is reflected in the long service given by its members; Paddy "Whacker"
Casey who is the longest serving member, with over 65 years service
and Colm McGrath former Vice President and current Honorary Sec. for
the last 55 years.
Ever since its foundation
in 1885,St. Mary’s Fife and Drum Band has honoured the unique custom
of parading through the ancient Parish of St. Mary’s on New Year’s
Eve and thence to St. Mary’s Cathedral to ring the old year out and
the New Year in. It may not be the longest established Band in the City
of Limerick but it holds the unique distinction of continuous establishment
ever since its foundation; an unrivalled record. The Band can be rightfully
and justifiably termed a great Parish and Limerick musical institution.
The first Sunday in
November is a day set aside by the band for a Mass of Remembrance for
deceased members, celebrated in St. Mary’s Church. In the story of
St, Mary’s Fife and Drum Band, proud tribute must be credited to the
numerous members who helped to keep the continuity of the band together
for over a century.
Some of the past and present members who gave very long service to the band include:
Christy Nash (75 years),
Gerry Clancy (73 years), Michael Burke (67 years), Paddy Casey (66 years),
Michael Hayes (64 years), Sean Meehan (63 years), Miko Ryan (60 years),
Colum McGrath (55 years), Michael Kelly (52 years), Jim Ring (45 years),
Jack McGrath (43 years), Joe Sheehan (43 years), Aiden Hurley (42 years),
Cyril Kiely (42 years), Paddy Kennedy (40 years), Tony McGrath (37 years).
John McMahon (38 years), Joe McNamara (34 years), Jackie Harris (33
years), Christy Kiely (31 years), Kevin O’Donnell (31 years), Sean
Cronin (30 years), Christy O’Connor (30 years), Derek Mulcahy (30
years), Noel Malone (30 years), and Gary O’Brien (30 years).
Most notable Conductors and Bandmasters from 1885 to the present:
Steve Collins, Pat
McNamara, Jim Ring, Patsy Salmon, Miko Ryan, Christy Nash, Danny Flynn
(uncle of Limericks famous poet and author, Criostoir O’Flynn), Gus
McNamara, George Tweedle, Jimmy Daly, John A. McNamara and Derek Mulcahy
McNamara’s Band
My name is McNamara, I'm the Leader of the Band,
And tho' we're small in number we're the best in all the land.
Oh! I am the Conductor, and we often have to play
With all the best
musicianers you hear about to-day.
There are few who are not familiar with the well know musical composition, McNamara’s Band. But how many know the world-wide celebrated musical ensemble got its name from four Limerick Brothers: Patrick, John, Michael and Thomas, all of who were born in the latter part of the last century in Meat Market Place, Old Thomas Street, off Athlunkard Street.
All four brothers played
in one row with St. Mary’s Fife and Drum Band. Michael, a Boer War
veteran, was an instructor and sergeant in the Royal Munster Fusiliers.
He retired with the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major, and died in Devon,
England in 1962.
John was a member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers and was also attached to a regimental band. He previously had served in the South African Campaign and re-enlisted in August 1914, at the outbreak of World War I. On 9th May 1915, he was killed in action, at the Battle of Aubers Ridge in France; on that day, 139 members of the 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers, including 30 Limerick men, were also killed. After the battle, none of the bodies were recovered; they are commemorated on the Le Touret` Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
John was posthumously
awarded the 1914 – 15 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War
Medal.
On 18th
July 1965, Thomas McNamara - the last of the quartet - paid his second
and final visit in 64 years to the spot where he was born and reared.
In May 1978, he passed to his eternal reward, the last member of the
McNamara brother combination that had won the All-Ireland Championship
in 1895.
Of Patrick, musician
and composer, it could be said that there were few who could claim to
be his peer, with the honourable exception of his good friend and neighbour,
Patsy Salmon of Church Street.
Patrick was the bandmaster
on the occasion of the 1895 championship. In 1905, when he emigrated
to the United States, he carried with him this great musical tradition,
where his band continued to be known as "McNamara’s Band."
Reunited with his brother Thomas, who arrived in the States in 1901,
the combination soon caught the imagination of a great songwriter and
so, the famous ballad was born. Thomas returned home just before the
out-break of World War I and joined the British Army; after the war
he returned to America. Thomas was one of a group who helped to smuggle
Eamon de Valera out of Ireland to the United States during the troubled
days of 1920
In latter years, the
McNamara Trio cut many records for Voralion Records: Thomas on the piccolo,
Patrick on violin and Patrick’s daughter, Eileen on the piano. In
1921, The Aeolian Co. cut a number of other recordings.