Italian trip for Templemore's Thomas Mac Donagh Pipe Band

By now many of you in Templemore are aware of the Thomas Mac Donagh Pipe Band’s recent trip to the town of Potenza Picena in Italy.
This amazing and wonderful trip was the result of a joint effort by the Twinning Committee’s of both Templemore, Potenza Picena and the Pipe Band. This acknowledgement of the super work put in by all is most certainly well justified.
On behalf of the band, I wish to thank most sincerely the local Twinning Committee, especially Teresa Devaney whose work has been exemplary. A special thanks also to Tom McGrath for his support.
From the band, well done to Bríd Barry for a huge effort put in to make the trip the success that it was, also Martin Fogarty and Cillian Roche; also to Ann, Margaret and Adda who took on the role of looking after the band’s junior members, well done girls.
We can’t forget our very efficient Catering Corps who saw to it that no member of our group was hungry come one o’clock each day !
Thanks to Damian for being there for all the photos and for being so willing to help out in every way when needed. And, where would we be without Nigel ? – thanks for all the Cornettos!!
Many thanks as well to our sponsors Pat Fogarty, Aidan Johnston, and Templemore Lions Club.
Finally, I cannot say enough in praise of the band’s superb presentation and performance of the music of our ancient Gaelic Heritage which more than impressed the thousands who came to see and hear. The young members of the band without doubt stole the show – they were a credit to their parish, their country and their families. I am very proud of them.
Thanks to Jerry O’Sullivan for keeping us all in good humour, ‘Happy Birthday Jerry’.
Last, but not least, the hero of the operation has to be Cualán Loughnane (Frosty) who along with band member Colm Barry (Birdle), undertook the enormous task of transporting all our equipment and uniforms overland to and from Potenza Picena, thus sparing us the nightmare of having to bring same through Dublin and Rome airports.
In addition to the Pipe Band, Ned Kelly’s ‘In Tune For Life Orchestra’ with its talented young musicians which included some members of the Pipe Band: Gillian Fogarty, Gearóid O’Sullivan, and Sarah Bourke, had a powerful effect on the very large audience – in excess of 3,500 at the first open air concert – The Festival of Irish Music, Song and Dance.
Cillian Roche’s highly talented group included Sarah McAuliffe, her brother Brian and Cáit Ni Riain. They gave such a soul touching performance which made us all proud of our Irishness.
And finally our visit to the amazing town of Assisi will have an everlasting effect on us all.
The Thomas Mac Donagh Pipe Band has to date taken part in parades in London, Disneyland Paris, New York, and now Potenza Picena in Italy. Not a bad track record for a small town band!!
As Martin always says, “Join The Band and see The World”
Well done to all concerned.