Graignamanagh’s historic brass band recently celebrated its centuries-long legacy with a jam-packed weekend of music and memories.
Proudly established in 1760, the oldest Brass Band in Ireland performed to more than 300 people in Abbey Hall late last year. The event featured an exhibition of historic music books, photographs, uniforms and memorabilia, charting the band’s journey across generations.
Band members of all ages - from 16 to 91 - introduced and performed their chosen pieces, each sharing the personal stories and memories behind their selections. After afternoon tea, the audience was treated to performances by local singers, choirs, and visiting bands, with plenty of opportunities for attendees to join in the dancing and celebration.
The event opened with the reading of a 1917 letter from the brass band to its patrons, seeking support for running costs — a moving reminder of the enduring need for community backing. The weekend raised much-needed funds to support urgent repairs to the band’s parish-owned band room, which is plagued with damp, mould, unreliable electrics, and asbestos in the roof.
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Despite the challenges, the Graignamanagh Brass Band continues to embody a living tradition — a bridge between past and present — ensuring that music and camaraderie continue to resonate for generations to come.
A candle was lit to honour all members who have gone before, followed by the band’s performance of Abide With Me, accompanied by local singer Christy Bolger. Among the artefacts displayed was a Leinster flag predating the Irish tricolour, a helicon (large brass instrument) dating from the late 1700s to early 1800s, and Majorette memorabilia from the
1970s. In an unexpected surprise, a man from Wexford arrived with a recently discovered booklet chronicling the band’s membership since 1760, authored by Piery Fenlon, the bandmaster from1978 to 1996.
The Saturday programme was compered by retired KCLR presenter Sue Nunn, while celebrity chef and broadcaster Edward Hayden hosted Sunday’s proceedings.The event, part-funded by Kilkenny County Council, was supported by age friendly officer Alison Mcgrath.
Honouring Lifelong Members
The celebrations included heartfelt tributes to some of the band’s longest-serving members,
including:
● Noel Coady (91) – Honoured for 80 years of service, Noel joined the band at just 11. He was presented with a commemorative painting of Duiske Abbey by local Jamie Dunne and a Cushendale Woollen Mills scarf embroidered with the band logo. His song choice: The Villager.
● Willie Flood (80) – Celebrated 70 years of service. Willie shared stories of the band performing for presidents, trips to France and Dublin parades, and the time members
famously buried music they were “sick of playing.” His song choice: Harbour Lights.
● Eddie Coady (85) – Marked 60 years of membership, recalling playing for President Éamon de Valera as a young man — and a near-handshake through the car window. His song choice: Under The Bridges of Paris.
● Deborah Fenlon (42), a cornet player with 30 years service, performed Cherry Pink in memory of her late father, former bandmaster Piery Fenlon.
● Deborah’s daughter Jude (16), the youngest band member, shared how she inherited her instrument and music book from 95-year-old Ollie on the day she joined. Her song choice: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
● Denise Fenlon Brooks (53) spoke about her late father Piery’s legacy, having inspired generations to join the band. With 42 years of service, Denise is the band’s current bandmaster. Her chosen hymn: Abide With Me.
● Denise’s sons, Jody (18) and Patrick (17), both members since childhood, celebrated 10 years of service. Jody performed Colours of the Wind and Patrick chose Rockin’ All Over
the World.
● Band member Jimmy Caufield (80+) spoke movingly about how the band helped him recover from a stroke.
● Former showband musician Dermot McMullan (90) has been the Graiguenamanagh Brass Band’s drummer for almost two decades. Song choice if tomorrow never comes
● Bríd O’Dwyer (22) marked 10 years of service, reflecting with her song choice: One Moment in Time.
● Michael Fenlon (71) celebrated 59 years of service, performing Blue Bayou.
● Michael Connolly of the New Ross Brass Band represented a long tradition of neighbouring bands supporting one another since wartime. Davy Dwyer, originally in the Inistioge Band, has given many great years of service to the band. He performed Beer Barrel Polka.
