More than 1,300 participants in 21 bands are to take part in the 48th annual Limerick International Band Championship as part of this year’s Limerick St Patrick’s Festival.
The streets of Limerick will be filled with the spectacular sights of the marching bands from across Ireland, Europe and America on Sunday 18 March for the 48th running of the Limerick International Band Championship.
The competition will start from O’Connell Street’s junction with Hartstonge Street at 12 noon, march down Limerick’s premier route, passed the reviewing stand before ending with a free concert for the public in Arthur’s Quay Park where the championship winners will be announced.
Bands from the United States, Germany, England, Northern Ireland, Limerick and across the rest of Ireland will compete in the championship for the overall Kenneally Jewellers Perpetual Trophy.
Among the visiting bands include the 196-strong Jackson High School ‘Purple Army’ Marching Band from Ohio, the Lakeville South High School Marching Cougars from Minnesota with 160 people marching, and the 167-strong Vestavia Hills High School Band from Alabama.
The long tradition of marching bands from Limerick continues to be represented by Redemptorist Centre of Music Concert Band, who will be the first band to march, St Mary’s Prize Band, CBS Pipe Band, Newcastle West & District Pipe Band, City of Limerick Pipe Band and Boherbuoy Brass & Reed Band and many more!
There are 11 bands from Ireland (or which six are from Limerick), seven bands from the United States and one each from Northern Ireland, England and Germany.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Stephen Keary said: “It is such an amazing spectacle to watch the bands marching down O’Connell Street every year in the Band Championship. It is truly a unique event.”
Bands will be allowed to perform at the reviewing stand for three minutes and will be judged by an international panel of judges consisting of Dr Stan Michalski, Norman Rogerson, Dr Andrea Strauss, Evelyn Grant and Niall Carroll.
Sheila Deegan, Cultural and Arts Officer with Limerick City and County Council said: “It’s fantastic that the marching band tradition is alive and well in Limerick. Even on the coldest day the spectacular arrangements of music promise to warm the heart.”
The winners will be announced at Arthur’s Quay Park following the marching. There are awards in several different categories.
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