Iconic musical band celebrate 160-year anniversary with free concert in Limerick

ONE OF Ireland’s oldest community bands, the St John’s Brass and Reed Band, is proud to mark 160 years of music-making in Limerick.

A public celebration to mark the century and a half old band is taking place on Saturday, May 17.

This commemorative event will feature a special anniversary exhibition and concert at the historic Old St. John’s Church, John’s Square, tracing the band’s remarkable journey since its founding in 1865.

The celebration will begin with a ceremonial march from the Band Hall on Garryowen Road to John’s Square, leading into an official launch at 3pm.

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The exhibition and concert will be officially opened by Cllr. Kieran O’Hanlon, with contributions from Dr. Matthew Potter, curator, Limerick Museum and Dr. Derek Mulcahy, Mary Immaculate College (MIC), both of whom will reflect on the band’s cultural significance and historic legacy.

Under the musical direction of Dr Andrew Jordan, they will then perform a celebratory concert. 

Following this launch event, the exhibition will move to St. Mary’s Cathedral, where it will be open to the public during Heritage Week in August, offering further opportunity for the public to explore the Band’s enduring impact on the cultural life of the city.

The exhibition showcases a rich collection of memorabilia, photographs, instruments, uniforms, and artefacts chronicling over a century and a half of musical heritage and community engagement.

This is a free public event, open to all ages.

The St. John’s Brass and Reed Band also acknowledges the Redemptorist Centre of Music for its continued support and contributions to the Band’s recent work and development.