Limerick International Band Parade to Attract Thousands this Weekend Posted on March 9th, 2010

The Limerick International Band Parade and Competition is expected to attract thousands of spectators on to the streets of the Treaty city this weekend as the 2010 Limerick St Patrick’s festival gets underway!

More than six hundred musicians from marching bands around Ireland, the USA, Germany, Africa and Northern Ireland will join Limerick’s finest to showcase their talents with adrenalin pumping music for all the family to enjoy this Sunday, March 14th at 12 noon.

One of the largest bands (80 pax) is the Pride of Acadiana band from Lafayette, Louisiana, USA who will perform in Ireland for the first time.

Other large marching bands include Banna Cluain Meana from Clonmel (100 musicians) and the 84 strong Mullingar Town Band.

The Ballyduff Silver Band from Northern Ireland, the Quintessenz Band from Germany and the African I Love my Life Musical Band will join six of Limerick’s finest bands for the competition.

The Band Parade will be led by the Irish Army Band, the Band of the First Southern Brigade and will start in O’Connell Avenue and end in Arthur’s Quay Park with a free concert to the public.

Eoghan Prendergast, Limerick Development Division Manager, Shannon Development, said

“We are delighted to support the Limerick International Band Parade and Competition which is celebrating a unique anniversary this year. We’re particularly pleased to be renewing our association with John Cox from Atlantic Group Tours and we hope to build on this relationship and bring more bands to Limerick in the years ahead.  The International Band Competition is a key part of Shannon Development’s effort to bring international visitors to Limerick and we will work with Atlantic Group tours to significantly increasing the number of bands, and the time they spend in Limerick, in the coming years.”

The Limerick bands taking part in the competition feature some of the city’s best entertainers and musicians.

 Among the Limerick bands taking part are:

  • The Boherbuoy Brass and Reed Band
  • Limerick City Brass and Reed Band
  • St Mary’s Fife and Drum Band
  • The CBS Youth Pipe Band
  • Newcastle West and District Pipe Band.

The Boherbuoy Band is the city’s oldest band, established 160 years ago and still going strong. The St Mary’s Fife and Drum Band has players ranging from 10 years to eighty years young while the CBS Youth Pipe Band is the longest serving youth band in Limerick city.

The winners will also be announced in Arthur’s Quay Park after the parade.

Parade organiser, Fran O’Donnell, from Futureama Productions, said: “Every year the International Band Parade is hugely entertaining. This year is a special year as it is the 40th anniversary of the event and it promises to be a fun and colourful day out for all the family.”

Prizes will be awarded for best overall band, best dressed, best musical performance, most entertaining performance, special judges’ award, best Irish band and best local band.

This year’s Limerick St Patrick’s festival is a showcase for the best that Limerick has to offer with the 40th International Band Parade, the huge St Patrick’s Day parade and the National Lottery Skyfest all taking place in the city.

The National Lottery Skyfest is taking place this Saturday, March 13th as part of the National St. Patrick’s Festival celebrations. This is the third year the event has been staged outside of Dublin and Limerick has been chosen this year to host this exciting event as part of the National St. Patrick’s Festival celebrations.

The International Band Parade will be followed by the Limerick St Patrick’s Day Parade on Wednesday, March 17th at 12 noon.

Ireland, Munster and Lions rugby hero Keith Earls will lead the 2010 parade as Grand Marshal.

The theme of the St Patrick’s Day parade is I Love Limerick and festival organisers are hoping that a spectacle of colour and sound will fill the streets of Limerick with a parade that celebrates all that the Treaty City has to offer.

The Limerick St Patrick’s Festival is sponsored by Limerick City Council, Shannon Development, Limerick’s Live 95FM and Stryker.

Download your complete guide to Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival 2010 here.

ENDS

For further information, please contact Laura Ryan, Limerick Communications Office, 50 O’Connell Street, Limerick. Tel: 061-400010/086-6042544 or log on to www.limerickcommunicationsoffice.ie or visit www.shortbreaksireland.ie

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