One of the most enduring of Galway institutions is this band, which has given much pleasure to its own members and countless thousands of the public since it was formed in Forster Street in 1896. The founders were Peter Rabbitt, a Forster Street publican, Michael Spelman, who worked in Moons and Paddy Walsh, the Station Master. It was originally a Fife and Drum band.
The first band room was in Gannon’s sitting room in Forster Street, and Mick Browne was the first bandmaster. They led the first St Patrick’s Day parade in Galway in 1903. Sergeant Peter Glennon of Renmore Barracks inspired a major change in 1908 when he introduced brass instruments. He was experienced in brass instruments in bands, and he succeeded Mick Browne as band master. Instruments were bought in London for £60 plus £20 for drums. Some were donated by Fr Dooley PP, Lord Killanin, Griffin’s Bakery and the Brothers of the Industrial School Band. In 1912, the band was flourishing with 36 members and travelled widely to parades, dances and concerts.
The band provided a simple band room on the present site. Tiles for the floor were taken from the disused Isolation Hospital. In 1930, the band room was purchased from the Erasmus Smith Foundation. The band was non-sectarian and non-religious and flourished throughout World War I. During the Black & Tan regime, laws prohibiting groups from congregating caused a temporary silence. A request during the Civil War that they cease playing until all political prisoners were released was rejected on the grounds that it violated the rules on non-involvement in political matters.
In November 1927, the first ever outside broadcast from Galway from 2RN opened with the band playing ‘The Stars and Stripes’.
They lost so many members to emigration in the 1950s that all activity came to an end. However, in 1959, Fr George Quinn got a new committee together who fundraised to repair and provide new instruments, and when the band reappeared for the first time on St Patrick’s Day, 1961, they received a very warm welcome. Happily, they have gone from strength to strength since, and for many years now have included female musicians in the group.
To celebrate their 130th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of their first radio broadcast, they are organising a special concert in the Galmont Hotel on Sunday, June 21 which will include vocalists Madeleine Fleming, Pádraic Connaughton and Kay Thorn as well as the Acapella Knights Choir and the Galway Concert Band. It promises to be a highly entertaining musical evening with possibly a hint of nostalgia.
So, to commemorate those notable anniversaries, we have two image for you today. The first is of the band on a visit to Salthill in 1948. They are, back row: Joe McLoughlin; Tommy ‘Bud’ Power; Michael Broderick; Tommy Heenan; Cyril Dooley; Tommy Broderick.
Second row: John Ryan; Michael Gaskin; Mickey ‘Banjo’ Ryan; Paddy Spellman; John Casey; Michael John Burke; Pat O’Sullivan; Mickey Spellman; James Scully.
Front row: Patsy Fahy; Johnny Duggan; Pat Scully; Michael Mitchell; Paddy Walsh; Paddy Power; Aidan Walsh; and Mick Heenan.
Our second photograph was taken c1977 and shows, front row: K Rush; G Bone; M Joyce; P Joyce; M Darcy; E O’Connor; A Jones and M Carr. Second row: B Healy; Mrs Mitchell; P Jones; J Nolan; P Cooke; R Boyce; P Rabbitt; F Donlon and Fr Kelly. Third row: Mrs Bone; Mrs Folan; T Feeney; T Power; P O’Sullivan; T Flaherty; N Hanley; Mrs Joyce; Mrs Jones; C Donlon. Fourth row: A Rush; S Finnerty; T Joyce; M Folan; G Joyce; J Joyce; P Flaherty; M Donlon; J Smith and P Healy.
One man who appears in both of these photographs is Pat O’Sullivan, He joined the band in 1948, yes 1948! He was a very active band member until recently and still likes to keep them on their toes. He will be given a special award on Sunday, June 21 to mark his extraordinary longevity with the band.
