Irelands last remaining factory band celebrates 70 years

Irelands last remaining factory band, Stedfast Shoes Brass Band from Carrickmacross, is about to celebrate its 70th anniversary.

It all started on 31st October 1956, when approximately forty workers from the Stedfast Shoes factory in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan gathered to discuss the possibility of starting a band for employees.

After initially debating whether they would go with a Brass Band or a Brass and Reed option, it was unanimously decided to go with a traditional Brass Band.

Membership was initially restricted to male employees of the shoe factory.

Having received great encouragement from fellow employees, the group’s first task was to acquire instruments.

The factory owners gave the band a loan to purchase the first set of instruments with up to 100 employes pledging a guarantee of £5 each.

The bill for the first 23 instruments was in excess of £1,020 which was a very substantial figure at the time.

Monthly raffles and a number of dances were held to help repay the initial loan. Mr William (Bill) McMahon who was conducting The Emmet Brass and Reed Band in Dundalk at the time was appointed as the first musical director and began the task of teaching the eager recruits how to read music and play brass instruments.

The band practiced twice weekly and had their first public performance in May 1958 when they played at the annual procession in Carrickmacross.

Since those early days, the band has seen many changes including the demise of the local shoe manufacturing industry and the closure of the Stedfast Shoes factory.

Thanks to the support and encouragement from the local community and the dedication of a series of bandmasters and band committees, the band continues to meet on a weekly basis and performs on a regular basis throughout the year.

While the current program still includes a few traditional brass band marches such as those that the original band would have played, it has been broadened to include a selection of film themes, chart hits and popular tunes to suit all ages.

The band will hold an anniversary mass on Saturday 7th November in St Josephs church, Carrickmacross at 6pm.

In addition to playing during the mass, the band will also perform in the church for approximately 15 minutes before and after the ceremony as a tribute to all those who have supported them in any way, past or present, throughout the last 70 years.

A lot has changed since those early days in the fifties but the passion for music is still alive and well within the band.

Far from resting on their laurels the band are currently looking to organize their first ever trip abroad with a trip to Italy being considered for 2027.

The band always welcomes new and former members to join them.

As they marks this momentous milestone, they say they would love to hear from anyone who has an interest in playing a brass or percussion instrument and helping them keep the music alive for many years to come.