Maghery Band Academy win international title in Limerick

Drill and Drum Major Instructor Annemarie O’Donnell pictured accepting their award from Cllr Olivia O’Sullivan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick City and County Council

placeholder image — Drill and Drum Major Instructor Annemarie O’Donnell pictured accepting their award from Cllr Olivia O’Sullivan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick City and County Council

The band who previously entered under the youth section and won on three consecutive occasions decided to open their prospects to the larger competition and enter the senior categories

Maghery Band attended the Limerick International Band Championship on Sunday last and entered into the Senior section of the competition this year and competed against 19 of the 20 bands.

The band’s goal was to introduce the international championship to their young new members. The band who previously entered under the youth section and won on three consecutive occasions decided to open their prospects to the larger competition and enter the senior categories.

The band were honoured to gain an international title for ‘Best Drill’. The members were thrilled with this special judges award and to be recognised internationally for their performance. Maghery Band normally perform routines that are anywhere between at least 10 minutes and as long as 15 minutes or more to showcase their abilities. The three-minute timeframe at Limerick is a difficult task to include as much as they can for the international judges.

Of the 19 marching bands who competed this year, five were from the United States and 14 others were from Canada, Northern Ireland, Donegal, Dublin, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Westmeath.

The overall winners were The Pride of Bixby Marching Band from Oklahoma and contained 200+ members. The 20th Band who paraded but did not compete were a 400 strong band from The University of Gator Florida.

The scale of these bands performing were such a spectacle and are amazing to witness.

Maghery Band had just 23 of their members available to compete and the competition between all the bands no matter the size is so welcomed and everyone is so appreciative of everyone’s talent that no matter the scale of your band you feel so embraced. The competition overall is such a positive experience.

The atmosphere is so incredible between the competing bands as everyone enjoys and appreciates each other’s talents and varying differences. The spectators who line the streets also make the experience incredible as they support all the bands along the way. It’s great to hear the spectators spurring on Donegal when they see where your band is from and cheering as they enjoy your performance attributes.

Eleven of the 19 bands who competed in the championship left Limerick with an International title which included the following:

Overall Parade Champion- The Pride of Bixby Marching Band

Best International Band – Burlington Teen Tour Band

Best Youth Band – Grand View High School

Best Local Band – Newcastle West and District Band

Best Musical Performance – Banna Chluain Meala

Best Uniform – Clondalkin Youth Band

Most Entertaining Performance – The Friendship Band Northern Ireland

Best Pipe Band – City of Limerick Pipe Band

Best Drill (Special Judges Award) – Maghery Band Academy

Best Repertoire (Special Judges Award) – Boherbouy Brass and Reed Band

Best Pipe Band (Special Judges Award) - Killorglin and District Pipe Band

The band were delighted that the band received this title and were recognized for their drill on an international stage. We work extremely hard to create an entertaining performance and use our drill to enhance our musical performances. To be against several hundred member bands and receive any title is such a great honour but to be specifically selected for Best Drill in particular is an honour.

The Limerick international championship is a competition that we thoroughly enjoy attending. We now look forward to performing at Mullingar for Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann where the band are heading to defend their title in August this year.