The organisers of this year’s Clonakilty Bands Day have every reason to be happy. Not only were these the best championships to date but already there are bookings for Saturday, 7th July, 2018.
THE organisers of this year’s Clonakilty Bands Day have every reason to be happy. Not only were these the best championships to date but already there are bookings for Saturday, 7th July, 2018.
A band from Tacoma, Washington, will participate in next year’s competition and are currently finalising their travel arrangements.
The ‘Wee County’s’ Ardee Concert Band stole the show this year – not alone by claiming the senior championship title but by being awarded seven of the special prizes on offer. Fermoy Concert Band won the intermediate category with Banna Chluain Meals taking the junior honours.
Crowds who thronged the streets were treated to some magical musical recitals and the many attractions of the Old Time Fair. All in all, this was the second time in as many weeks when locals and visitors got to experience all that the town has to offer and the splendid community spirit which makes it all possible.
The prizegiving ceremony was attended by Clonakilty Mayor, John Loughnan, Mayor of Cork County and chairman of the Municipal District of West Cork, Cllr Declan Hurley, as well as representatives of the sponsors, who were duly acknowledged for their generosity.
The winners were: Senior section - 1 Ardee Concert Band; 2 Lourdes Brass Band 3 Ballymore Eustace Concert Band-
Intermediate section – 1 Fermoy Concert Band; 2 Drogheda youth Brass Band; 3 Cork Barrack Street.
Junior section – 1 Banna Chluain Meala; 2 Midleton Junior Concert Band; 3 Clara Town Junior Band.
Midleton and Clara both won special adjudicator awards in junior section.
Junior best musicianship – Clara.
Best trombone - CJ Kickham.
Best musical arrangement – Lourdes, Mark Newman.
Best brass section – Lourdes, Drogheda.
Adjudicator award, senior – Ardee.
Adjudicator award, intermediate – Drogheda Youth.
Senior celebratory – Ardee.
Best celebratory in intermediate – Drogheda.
Best percussion – Ardee.
Best repertoire – Ardee.
Best march – St Patrick’s Brass Band, Cashel.
Best bass section – Ardee.
