The Lourdes Brass Band have been confirmed as The Senior Champions at The 27th South of Ireland Band Championships. The Band under their conductor Mr Harry Kelly travelled to Clonakilty, West Cork to compete in what turned out to be a closely fought Competition.

The championships are among the biggest in the country attracting 21 entries nationwide, and were adjudicated by Mr. William Halpin, DIT Conservatory of Music, and Dr. Joseph Ryan, Army School of Music.

The Lourdes Brass Band won the top prize on 94 points beating the Dublin Concert Band into second place by one point to become the Senior Champions for the second successive year, quiet an achievement. Ennis Brass Band were third on 92 points.

The Band’s performance was deemed ‘outstanding’ and featured two Solo performances. Band member Mark Newman, Solo cornet astounded the packed hall with his fine performance of Elvis Costello’s hit ‘She’, while Robert Tiernan on Bass Trombone trilled the judges and crowd with his feature of ‘Minnie The Moocher’ by Cab Calloway.

It was indeed a great win for the band that had a large number of younger members playing key roles in the band’s repertoire which included the feisty ‘Armenian Fire Dance’.

The Band are proud to retain their title, and thank the local community for their support.

Due to the timing of the Championships the Band were unable to be present at St Oliver’s Procession, which they traditionally attend.