Mickey ‘Mhary Mhici’ O Gallchoir performing with the Rann na Feirste band in Annagry.
BY SEÁN P. FEENY
THIS Easter Sunday a very special event will take place in the Rosses when the largest ever fife and drum band will take to Dungloe’s Main Street.
It is hoped to bring together as many members of Rosses fife bands, past and present, to march and play together as one band.
The fife and drum band tradition has always been very strong in the Rosses with eleven fife bands currently in existence in the area.
There have been fife bands in the Rosses since the 1800s and over the years there have been up to 22 based in various villages and townlands.
This month some of those fife bands are in fact celebrating very special anniversaries, including Keadue (125 years), Annagry (100 years) and Mullaghduff (25 years).
Even if people have left the Rosses, they regularly come back home for the St Patrick’s Day and Easter Sunday celebrations and play with the fife and drum bands.
It is hoped that current and past members of fife bands in the area will come together for the event on Easter Sunday to march as one band.
There is also the annual band competition in Dungloe on Easter Sunday which is being organised by Michael Sweeney of The Midway Bar.
The first rehearsal for the once-off Easter Sunday event will take place this Saturday, March 9, at Ionad Spoirt na Rosann at Rosses Community School, Dungloe, 8pm.
Current and past members of Rosses fife bands are most welcome. For more information on the event and rehearsals please contact Geraldine Bonner on 0868180080.