The pipes are calling for 75 years

THE Tulla Pipe Band is 75 years young this January and to mark the special occasion, the band has launched a 2011 calendar depicting images of both past and present members.
Formed on January 7, 1936, the Tulla Pipe Band took over from the existing brass band, which wound down at that time. An ex-army officer by the name of Welsh was paid £2 and 10 shillings to train the new band. The band purchased their first set of pipes and drums from Crowley’s of Cork where the pipes cost £5 each and the drums cost £2.50 each. The pipe band’s first parade was down the Main Street of Tulla and thus began their long journey.
In 1941 during World War II, the band was handed over to the army and became an LDF band but was returned again to the parish of Tulla in 1946. While the band was founded in 1936 it was not until 1949 that members got their first uniforms. The material for these uniforms was donated by Flynn’s woollen mills of Sixmilebridge.
Horse hair was often used in the decor of the spurn or pouch, which was worn around the kilt. A memorable story recalled by the band’s PRO was the arrival of Duffy’s Circus to Tulla in 1949. There the opportunity was seized upon to obtain such horsehair, much to the annoyance of the ringmaster, who learned that the circus horses left Tulla without their white tails.
Up until the early 1960s, the band trained in the local temperance hall but then they purchased their own hall, which cost £50.
The band has a number of longstanding events throughout the year with St Patrick’s Day generally kicking off their activities. A large portion of their outings are sport related. Among the most memorable for the band was the homecoming for the victorious 1995 and 1997 Clare hurling team.
Other notable moments for its members included playing for President Erskin Childers when he visited Mountshannon and they also played in Miltown Malbay for Patrick Hillary when he was elected to presidential office.
Even as far back as 1938, the Tulla Pipe Band played in Mullagh for the county ploughing championships. That particular year, the band travelled there on the back of an open truck. In more recent years they have played with The Chieftains.
Currently, the band has a membership of around 30 people and has an annual recruitment campaign open to both young and old from within the parish and beyond. New members are always welcome.
While the country is heading into challenging times, it was always down to the generosity of the public to fund the day to day running of the band. The band has acknowledged all those who have supported them throughout the years and are looking forward to another successful 75 years of the St Patrick’s Tulla Pipe Band.
It is expected that the 75th anniversary will be marked in the new year but details have yet to be finalised. The calendar is available from local shops in Tulla and anyone interested in getting involved in the band can contact either the PRO Noel Leamy on 087 2935716 or Oliver Quigney on 086 8896306.