The sound of accordions, drums, tin whistles and flutes will fill the air on Sunday 27th May as Banna Cheoil Chloich Cheann Fhaola are hosting an Indoor Marching Band Competition in Ostan Loch Altan, Gortahork at 2pm.
Donegal has always had a proud marching band tradition and was the most represented county at the All-Ireland Fleadh Competition down through the years.
During the 80’s and 90’s, the DMBA was established to promote and schedule indoor and outdoor marching band competitions.
Since there aren’t as many public appearances and competitions during the marching band season now, we hope that this will give Donegal bands an opportunity to showcase their music onstage at the Indoor Music competition.
To date, we have ten bands competing and they are: Banna Cheoiil Chloich Cheann Fhaola, Buion Cheoil Sinsear Chloich Cheann Fhaola, St. Catherine’s Band, Killybegs, Dungloe Senior Band, Letterkenny Senior Accordion Band, Keadue Fife and Drum, Maghery Junior and Senior Fife and Drum, Mullaghduff Fife and Drum and Buncrana Accordion Band. Opening the competition, is the legendary ‘Meenderry Reunion Band’ that will proudly play tunes that they have played together since their reunion in 2009.
Assistant secretary of the band Laura Barrett says: ‘this will be a wonderful opportunity for bands to come together and promote the proud tradition of marching bands we have in Donegal.
This will be a great days entertainment for all the family and everyone is welcome to come and listen to the great music on display’.
This event will be a fundraiser for the band and entry for adults is €5 and kids €3. A raffle will also be held to help raise much-needed funds and meet running costs for the band.
This promises to be an entertaining day out and hopefully continue to promote the proud tradition of marching bands in Donegal.
