History

The pipes and drums have long been associated with inspiring soldiers to accomplish great deeds of valour on the field of battle and with the ability to raise the spirits of even the most weary troops while far from home. However it was not until the early 1960's that the benefits of the pipes and drums were first utilised by Irish Defence Forces. This was when the first troops were sent to the Congo as part of the U.N. mission.

When the 34th battalion was being formed to relieve the troops already in the Congo, they did not have a military band, so the only remaining military pipe band in the country at the time was mobilised for this task. This band was the Air Corps pipe band.

1st Air Corps Pipe band prior to U.N. service in the Congo

At this time the band strength was quite low, but the prospect of overseas service proved to be a useful recruitment tool and soon the band could boast a full complement of pipers and drummers, unfortunately most of them were pure novices. After a short period of musical tuition, the band could play the traditional Irish marching tune "Let Erin remember". But time was not on the side of the fledgling band and before their repertoire could be increased, they were shipped out to Africa.

Six months later they returned to Ireland with a repertoire greatly increased and a proficiency in figure and counter marching.

In 1961 the Air Corps pipe band had the honour of winning the All-Army pipe band championships held in Cork. The next time that competition was held was in 1994 when the present band regained the title. This brings us to the present day band.....

During 1993 it was proposed that a pipe band be set up in the Air Corps. After a short recruitment drive a large number of potential pipers and drummers began instruction in their respective instruments during September 1993. Naturally there were losses, but that is testament to the quality of instruction and to the quality of the remaining students.

Beginners Pipers Course 1993 - 1994(Back row)
Beginners Drummers Course 1993 - 1994(Front row)

Our first public engagment was during May of 1994 when we were invited to accompany the army No. 1 band in Merrion Square Dublin during one of their summertime recitals. The band was so young and inexperienced at this stage that we didn't even have a band uniform! and had to borrow drums from the 5th infantry battalion.

The band plays every year at the annual R.D.S. International horseshow and has done so since 1994, although the new blue uniform was issued in 1995 it did not arrive in time for the horse show that year. We also play during the annual military pilgrimage in Lourdes with Pipers & Drummers from the Army and Naval Service Pipe Bands.

The band has played in aid of various charity events such as the Chernobyl relief fund, St. Raphael's school for the mentally handicapped, the B.I.G. concert and many more. Members of the band also travel abroad as part of the Defence Forces pipe band and have visited France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Holland the U.K., the Lebanon, Eritrea, Kosovo, Bosnia and the U.S.A. among others.

Today there are twenty playing members of the band who are employed as aircraft technicians, aircraft inspectors, carpenters, clerks, drivers, I.T. personnel, photographers, technical instructors and radio technicians, medical orderlies and aircraft engineers. It is to their credit that none of the band members are professional musicians.

For more information about the members of the band, please feel free to visit our personnel page.

© IACPB 2007