Sunday 5th March 2023 saw the introduction of a wonderful and special publication produced by Dr. Derek Mulcahy, on the marching band tradition in Limerick, both past and present.
This book provides an insight into the history of numerous bands, intriguing stories of political divisions, and chronicles the cultural contribution the bands have played right up to the present day as being a part of Limerick’s heritage.
Well done Derek!
Photos show the reunion of the bands from that afternoon. A glorious day with the cooperation of the weather!
— City of Limerick and CBS Pipe bands — Boherbuoy Band — St John’s and Redemptorist Centre of music Brass and Reed bands — St Mary’s Fife and Drum band
Developed by Dance Limerick/DL Bridge and St John’s Brass & Reed Band. Led by Choreographer Philippa Donnellan and Musical Director Jonathan Luxton.
Colourful, bold and brassy, THE ROAD WE LIVE ON is a new dance, music and performance project that is inspired by the neighbourhood of Garryowen and how the area has changed and developed in recent times. This includes the story of St John’s Band who began life as the community Victualler’s band in 1865 and is now based at No.2 Garryowen Road.
To develop this project, we’re working with the team from the local Community Developed Project and other groups, so if you’re from Garryowen or have links to the area – we welcome your ideals or stories from the neighbourhood. Or if you’re simply curious and enjoy dancing and playing music, come and get involved!
THE ROAD WE LIVE ON kicks off in April with a range of dance and music activities, and culminates in a live performance in Dance Limerick’s fabulous theatre space to celebrate the area and community on Saturday 18 June 2022.
There are a few ways to get involved in THE ROAD WE LIVE ON:
ST JOHN’S BRASS & REED BAND @ NO.2 GARRYOWEN ROAD: If you’re interested in playing music as part of the project with St John’s Brass & Reed Band, and you play percussion, brass or a woodwind instrument, please contact: Tony McCarthy via email: [email protected] / www.stjohnsband.com
THE PERFORMANCE GROUP @ DANCE LIMERICK: This is a specially established PERFORMANCE GROUP open to dance enthusiasts aged 18+. It is a 6-week project starting from 5 May. If you would like to get involved, contact Dance Limerick on 061 400 994, or email Philippa at: [email protected]. For full workshops and rehearsal schedule, see https://dancelimerick.ie/news/road-we-live-call-out
LOCAL GROUPS INVOLVED: We’re excited to work with local groups of all ages from the local community. More about these groups to follow…
MORE INFORMATION: For more information about the project, email Philippa at: [email protected].
THE ROAD WE LIVE ON is free of charge for participants. Dance Limerick’s spaces are wheelchair accessible.
The Road We Live On is supported by the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund in partnership with Business to Arts. Dance Limerick/DL BRIDGE is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland and Limerick City & County Council.
Last Monday, members of our band played for St Brigid National School, St Patrick’s Boys National School and St Patrick’s Girls National School.
We had some wonderful Christmas fun as the children sang along.
As part of our First Steps in Music outreach programme, we have children from St Patrick’s Boys School currently learning brass instruments. They’ve done so well over the last couple of months under the tutelage of our musical director Jonathan Luxton, and we’re thrilled to develop this further in 2022!
We’ve had a busy December so far, playing out at the Georgian Quarter, King John’s Castle and the Milk Market. This year we’re thrilled that we’ve been joined by the newly-formed St John’s Hospital Staff Choir, also under the direction of our very own Jonathan Luxton.
We were honoured to have had such a wonderful audience for Limericks’Culture Night. It was such a joy to play out in our community, alongside the Garryowen Comhaltas Group. Thank you for your continuing support!
Click here to watch a little snippet from the evening.
We are delighted to be participating in Culture Night again this year, this time in person! On Friday 17th September at 6:45PM, we will be playing under the mural on Garryowen. Also joining us will be the Garryowen Comhaltas Group!
Please join us to celebrate an evening of music, and the official launch of the Garryowen Music Hub, which will provide a range of opportunities for all ages in the community to increase confidence, self-esteem, social and life skills, inviting participants of all age groups to become involved in different forms of music and activities.
Despite the difficulty of Covid, lockdowns, and being unable to get together as much as we wanted to, 2020 saw St. John’s Brass and Reed Band spring back to life.
With a new musical director, a complete re-organisation of our music library, a social media reboot, donations of funds and instruments for an instrument bank, new members coming in, the return of past members, the launch of our outreach programme ‘First Steps in Music‘, a fantastic commemorative mural for our band hall, being part of Limerick Culture Night 2020, and being featured on RTE One News, we finished off 2020 with a bang!
Finally being able to get out and play, we did various Christmas concerts in the city centre and Garryowen areas that were met with such warmth and enthusiasm by our audiences.
Thank you to all our band members, students and supporters. We cannot wait to keep spreading the joy of music in this brand new year of 2021. There is much more to come, so watch this space!
