The award-winning Cloughaneely Senior Band has been invited to perform at next year’s famous St Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City.
Buíon Cheoil Sinsear Chloich Cheann Fhaola will depart for the Big Apple on Saturday, March 15, and return the following Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the band’s illustrious history.
Laura Barrett is the Chairperson of Buíon Cheoil Sinsear Cloich Cheann Fhaola.
“We are thrilled and honoured to have been invited to take part in the St Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City,” she said.
“This invitation is a testament to our dedication to traditional Irish music and culture. We look forward to sharing our passion with the people of New York and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in such a vibrant and historic setting.”
A major fundraising drive will now get underway to help make the trip possible.
“The financial costs in running a band have made it particularly difficult, and credit goes to all members, past committees, and the wider community for keeping the band going all these Years,” Ms Barrett added.
“Buíon Cheoil Sinsear Chloich Cheann Fhaola’s participation in New York’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade offers a unique opportunity for audiences in the United States to experience the band’s authentic Irish sound and celebrate the spirit of Ireland.”
The Senior Band was formed in August 2016 after a spontaneous reunion to welcome home the junior band following their All-Ireland win at that year’s Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann.
The reunion saw a remarkable turnout of past members, who, despite the short notice, gathered to celebrate and rediscover their love for marching and performing together. The event sparked a renewed interest in forming a senior band, with members from various parts of Ireland, as well as the UK and Dubai, expressing a desire to reunite and compete in the senior miscellaneous section at the Fleadh the following year.
Since its reformation, Buion Cheoil Sinsear Chloich Cheann Fhaola has become a prominent competitor in the marching band scene. They have consistently participated in various competitions, most notably the All-Ireland Fleadh, where they have won in 2017, 2018, and 2023, and were runners-up in 2024.
“Their vibrant performances and unwavering commitment to preserving Ireland’s rich musical heritage have made them a beloved presence in the community,” added Ms Barrett.
“There has been a strong tradition of marching bands in Donegal, particularly in the west of the county. Unfortunately, the prevalence of miscellaneous and accordion bands has seen a sharp decline since the late 1990s.”
“The area of Chloich Cheann Fhaola has had a marching band since 1983, making it one of the longest-running bands in the county that has never disbanded.”
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