One of the most enduring of Galway's institutions is this band which has given pleasure to its own members and countless thousands of members of the public since it was formed in Forster Street in 1896. Thanks to dedicated leaders and teachers, this group of musicians continues to entertain. The founders were Peter Rabbitt, a Forster Street publican and grocer, Paddy Walsh, the station master and Michael Spelman of Moon’s staff.
The first band room was in Gannon’s sitting room in Forster Street and Mick Browne was the first band master. They led the first St Patrick’s Day parade in Galway in 1903. They started off as a Fife and Drum band as you can see from our 1905 image of the band. They are, back row, left to right: Mick Kavanagh, Tom Kennedy, Dinny Kelly, Mike Spelman, Joe McDonagh, Jim Feerick and Peter Rabbitt.
In the middle row are John Hannon, Mickey King, Michael Crowley, Willy Cloonan, John Burke and Mick Leahy. Front row: Johnny Kelly, Jack Hoare, Joe Crowley, Willy Carrick, Martin Feeney, Andy King, Michael John Molloy and Peter Browne, the conductor. Sitting are Paddy Walsh, Frank Duffy, ----- , and Joe Hennigan.
Sergeant Peter Glennon of the Renmore Barracks inspired a major change in 1908 when brass instruments were introduced. He had experience of brass instruments in bands and succeeded Mick Browne as band master. Instruments were bought in London for £60 plus £20 for the drums. Some were donated by Fr Dooley PP, Lord Killanin, Griffin’s Bakery, the Brothers of the Industrial School in Salthill and the Urban District Council who donated £25.
In 1912, second hand uniforms were bought in Moons and only the caps remained from their old ones. They now had 36 playing members and their first engagement was in the Headford area. They provided a simple band room on the present site with the help of volunteer workers. Tiles for the floor were brought across from the disused hospital down near the harbour. Despite the war at home and abroad, the band continued to flourish as it was strictly non-religious and non-sectarian in its membership.
The emergency regulations under the Black and Tans and the laws against group congregating affected the band and caused a temporary silence. The Civil War did not help either. A request to cease playing until all political prisoners were released was rejected on the grounds that it violated the rules of non-involvement in political matters.
On March 16, 1926 they took part in a concert in the Empire Theatre with Paddy Griffin as conductor and the Misses Fahy, Madden and Corigan as accompanists. Among the pieces played were La Paloma and Maritana as well as compositions by Mendelssohn and Wagner.
In 1927, they took part in the first ever outside broadcast by 2RN, the first brass and reed band to do so. It was a fundraiser for victims of the Cleggan disaster.
Our second photograph shows some band members on a Corrib outing about 1920. They are, front row, left to right: Michael Ryan; Paddy Spelman; --- Kennedy; Paddy Kennedy; --- Kennedy; Tommy Clare; ‘Toddlers’ Clare; John Rabbitt.
Centre row: WJ Kennedy; Ned Howard; Mattie Howard; Charlie Rabbit; Tommy Stevens from Bohermore who worked in the ESB; Ambrose Scally. At the back are --- Fahy; John Hannon from Woodquay who worked in the Hat Factory; Tom Kennedy from Bohermore; George Sullivan and ‘Manny’ Walsh from Forster Street. Tommy and ‘Toddlers’ Clare were sons of the stonecutter in Forster Street.
On February 18, 1930, the band room was purchased from the Erasmus Smith trustees. During the war years, the instruments were carefully minded. The band lost so many members through emigration in the 1950s that all activity came to an end. On Septemeber 22, 1959, a new committee was set up including Peter Greene, Mayor of Galway; Fr George Quinn PP; Patrick Hennigan, secretary; Murtagh Rabbitt, treasurer; Michael Mitchell, band master; and Mr J Doherty, assistant bandmaster. Twenty five members joined and they all helped fundraise to repair and provide instruments. When the band reappeared for the first time on St Patrick’s Day, 1961, they received a very warm welcome, and happily, they have gone from strength to strength since.
If you enjoy the photographs that appear every week in this column, then you should go and see an exhibition of a collection of them entitled The Streets of Old Galway in Kennys Bookshop and Art Gallery in Liosbán. These are blown-up versions of some of the images you see in the paper, and if I may say so myself, they are well worth seeing, and it is free. Also, the first edition of The Old Galway Diary, which went out of print very quickly, is now available once again from good bookshops.
