MD support Mullingar Town Band trip to US
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Kim and Hubert Magee at the band hall.Image 3 of 11
Cllr Dollard with the Mullingar Town Band.Image 4 of 11
Seamus Tunney and Barbara Judge from Mullingar and Michael McCormack from Castlepollard.Image 5 of 11
Cllr Mick Dollard presented Rachel McCormack from the band committee with a cheque for €10,000.Image 6 of 11
Belle Daly from Mullingar, Cathal Byrne from Ballinea and Ava Maher from Mullingar.Image 7 of 11
Cecily Leonard and Cáit McDonnell on Wednesday evening.Image 8 of 11
Shay Ryan, Conor Madden and Fionn Madden from the Mullingar Town Band.Image 9 of 11
Hannah Dunne and Amelie Kelly from Mullingar.Image 10 of 11
Isabel McCormack, Síle Tunney and Alannah Fanning (Mullingar) at the band hall.Image 11 of 11
Beata Ziemczak, Gemma Kelly, Therese O'Connor and Helen Henry on Wednesday.As Mullingar Town Band prepared to represent Ireland in the United States' Semiquincentennial Celebrations the local Municipal District made a presentation of funds to assist them in their historic journey.
Mayor of the Mullingar Kinnegad MD, Cllr Michael Dollard, made the presentation last Friday: “The Town Band's trip to America coincides with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America. And they'll be out there between July 3 and July 7.”
The Mullingar Town Band was founded in 1879 and can trace its roots as far back as the 1840s. The local military barracks supplied many of the early members who themselves were serving members of the British Regimental bands stationed in Mullingar.
Band Director, Kim Magee, told the Examiner of the significance of the trip: “This once-in-a-generation invitation places Mullingar Town Band on an international stage, alongside leading musical groups from around the world. As one of only three marching bands selected from Ireland, our members will participate in a series of historic and televised events across the United States.”
The trip to the US will include: the Salute to Independence Parade in Philadelphia on July 3; the National Independence Day Parade in Washington DC on July 4; and evening concert in the Basilica of St Patrick's Old Cathedral in New York on July 6; and performance at the Central Park Bandshell, New York on July 7.
Cllr Dollard said it was important to support the venture: “They're tremendous ambassadors of our town. When this was brought to my notice earlier in the year, I proposed affording them some kind of funding.”
Mullingar Town Band is an intergenerational ensemble made up of children, teenagers and adults - many of whom are family members performing together and who have played a long-standing part in the musical, educational, and cultural life of Mullingar and the Midlands.
These US trips will see them represent not only the town of Mullingar and county of Westmeath but also the country, heritage, and tradition on an international platform.
The Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad members were unanimous in their support for Cllr Dollard's motion for the allocation of €10,000 to Mullingar Town Band to support their participation in the 2026 celebrations.
“This funding will go towards the provision of uniforms and musical instruments and things like that,” Cllr Dollard said, “The band members and their families are paying for their tickets and accommodation. This is just a small token on behalf of the people of Mullingar and district.”
The independent councillor continued: “I was delighted to get the support of my colleagues to provide this particular element of funding”. He went on to speak of the importance of the organisation, “I am of the view that young children, in their formative years, need to be engaged areas of arts, culture, sports, or music, because it acts as a conduit now for improving their lives.
"It keeps them out of trouble as well.”