City of Limerick Pipe Band celebrates 75 years of Limerick tradition

City of Limerick Pipe Band will celebrate 75 years this coming St Patrick’s Day. Some members of the band pictured above at the South of Ireland Pipe Band Championships 2023

From humble beginnings to their “best year so far” The City of Limerick Pipe Band aims for a big 75-year celebration

Born in the heart of Limerick, The City of Limerick Pipe Band has evolved from its beginnings, founded in a field behind Mount St Lawrence, into a symbol of musical excellence and community spirit. 

The band, which will celebrate 75 years this coming St Patrick’s Day is primarily known as a competition pipe band, but the band’s melodies have entertained in parades, echoed through GAA matches, and captivated audiences in concerts.

The flame of tradition burns bright within the band playing its tune from Limerick’s history which was home to a vibrant community of pipe bands. Sadly, from those early days which saw a number of bands, just two remain; themselves and the CBS Pipe Band.
Remarkably, a staggering 90 per cent of their members, past and present, trace their origins to CBS school and the pipe band itself.

The City of Limerick Pipe Band pic.twitter.com/YFcLdykMZd— Limerick : Culture : Arts (@LimerickArts) March 17, 2022

Conor Coughlan of City of Limerick Pipe Band said, “I initially got into pipe bands because I wanted to get out of class when I was in CBS primary school and the love for the music came from there.

“Over the years we’ve played in concert with The Chieftains, the High kings, We’ve played in the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in France, in the Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Huddersfield in the UK.”

In celebrating its Diamond Jubilee, the band has changed its tune looking to make this year the best of a long history.

The city of limerick pipe band warming up for the team parade#Reginalongtournament#MSPCamogie pic.twitter.com/gCYv3JIvQA— Mungret GAA (@mungretgaa) September 24, 2022

“The band is turning 75 this coming Saint Patrick’s Day,” said Conor, he continued, “We want to make this year our best year so far! We’ve plans to go to the US, compete in as many competitions as possible and push our members to compete in solo competitions as well. We’re in talks to get a concert going for a mental health charity in December as well.”

In the hopes of raising support for the band, they have created a GoFundMe in a bid to raise funds for equipment, uniforms, and continued tuition for new and existing members.

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