The Downs to host major band event

Westmeath Examiner is media partner for Town Band spectacular

A major marching bands spectacular is set to take place at The Downs in August.

Razzmatazz, glitz and excitement are all guaranteed, says Kim Magee, director of Mullingar Town Band, which is participating in the event, and hosting it as well.

The main attraction is entertainment from Ireland's top marching bands when they assemble at the GAA grounds in The Downs on August 21.

The Town Band and the event's media partners, the Westmeath Examiner, have revealed that there is to be no charge for attending what will be a fantastic afternoon's entertainment at a venue that could have been tailor-made for viewing marching bands.

“It's ideal because from the stands, there will be a fantastic view down on the marchers, and anyone there will be able to see the formations,” says band chairman, Frank Kiernan, adding that this will be a family day out, but also one that will thrill music lovers.

“There are four bands taking part,” says Kim, who two years ago took over the role of band director from her father, Hubert, who had held the role from 1957 until 2014.

The four are Arklow's Inbhear Mór band, the Viking Drum Corps from Tallaght, and the Clondalkin Youth Band, founded by, as it turns out, a Mullingar man, Vincent Dolan, who came up through the ranks of Mullingar Town Band.

Each will perform for 25 minutes to half an hour or so – but as well as watching the marching bands, audiences will also get to enjoy a performance by the interval act, Good Man Sheila, many of whom are 'graduates' of Mullingar's Town Band.

Since December, the band has been planning for its competition performance, fired up after last year when it did so well on the marching bands competition circuit.

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