Busy weekend ahead with St Patrick's and championship for Maghery Band Academy

Maghery Band Academy are returning to Limerick’s International Band Championship this weekend. The international championship is held annually on St Patrick's weekend in Limerick and 2023 will see Limerick celebrate their 51st Championship.

The Maghery Band previously attended the championship in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and were awarded the Best Youth Band International title on these three occasions, obtaining their first hat-trick title and gaining international status.

The championship had 15 bands returning to compete last year, which was a great return for the competition after the two-year hiatus. This year Maghery will be one of 20 bands traveling from USA, Europe and across Ireland to compete for an array of titles, the top title being The International Champions.

Maghery Band regard themselves as very fortunate to be returning to the competition a year after resuming practises. Like many bands affected by ceasing practise due to covid guidelines Maghery Band Academy only returned to in person practise in February 2022 - the first time since March 2020.

Maghery obtained their sixth consecutive All Ireland win in August 2022 and are thankful to the members and committee who have continued to assist them in retaining progress in their classes so they can undertake new public performances.
Prior to covid the academy had a five-year programme in place which was developing beginner members for to enter their junior and competitive senior bands.

Maghery were fortunate that a majority of original members returned post covid but having lost many budding members due to the break had to amalgamate their remaining junior band members.

A new wave of recruits then signed up at the start of 2022 and the academy were able to continue attending commitments they had planned to undertake including Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann last August in Mullingar. It is very important for the academy to continue inspiring youth and adults to keep their traditions alive and the academy strives to give new learning experiences through performing locally as well as traveling to perform nationally and internationally.

In recent years the academy has started to develop some new traditions and returning to the Limerick International Championship is one such tradition that has given the band great focus to work towards in their annual schedule.

Setting performance goals is a great way to develop the members' performance experiences. The team effort that is involved also develops camaraderie. In 2019 the band had undertaken their most eventful schedule to date when they travelled to perform in an East Coast USA tour in NYC, New Jersey and Florida.

That same year saw them win a hat trick title at Dungloe’s Main St Easter Competition, Win their fifth All Ireland title in Drogheda, headline at Belfast International Tattoo in the SSE Arena Belfast and release an album on CD of their music collection.

In some ways the break that occurred in 2020 was a welcome rest for the band and its organisers but the time away made them realize and appreciate all the more how special the memories and opportunities they had before them were.

The academy would like to welcome any interested youth and adults who would be interested in joining, whether that be in the capacity of a performing member, organiser or interested supporter.

If you have an interest in music, performing and enjoy community spirit Maghery Band Academy is a great place to exercise those passions. For more information see their social media on Facebook and Instagram or contact them on magheryband@gmail.com or 0879247837.

The committee and supporters wish the band well as they represent Maghery, Dungloe, Donegal and Ireland as a whole on the international stage and hope they have the most enjoyable time and experience.

The band will be upholding their annual tradition on St Patrick's Day performing at St Patrick's Church Meenacross at 9:30am and parading Dungloe Main St at 2:30pm and Maghery village at 4pm.

The band would also like to wish the Meenacross Band a happy Anniversary as they celebrate their 150th year this year. Meenacross are one of the oldest running fife bands in the Rosses.