Artane Band to celebrate 150 year anniversary with special show tonight

Dublin’s Artane Band, one of Ireland’s oldest marching bands is set to mark its 150th Anniversary (1872 – 2022) tonight with a “spectacular night of music” at The Helix.

The event, led by director Ronan Reilly, will include performances from the Artane Band, which consists of 60 young musicians (aged between 11-18 years), well known to the nation for their appearances in Croke Park on big match days.

The band were founded in 1872 and gave their first public for the Prince of Wales (EdwardVII).

“The band known for their iconic blue and red colours have played for every President and Taoiseach of Ireland,” the organisers say.

“In attendance as special guest on the night will be the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland.”

The programme of events will include themes from ‘Independence Day’ and the ‘Avengers’ in addition to traditional Irish Music numbers such as ‘Toss the Feathers’, the ‘Belfast Hornpipe’, and the ‘Irish Washerwoman’.

“We are incredibly excited and proud to be celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Artane Band with an evening of music in The Helix,” Reilly said.

“Tonight’s event will feature a wide array of musical styles and genres, performed by our infamous youth bands alongside several guest artists.

“We are also delighted to be joined on the night by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland.

“Bands on the night will perform everything from movie themes and contemporary music covers to traditional Irish material. It’s bound to be a fantastic evening, and you won’t want to miss this!”

Also performing on the night will be the junior ensembles of the Artane Band, which includes 50 young members aged between 7-13 years, conducted by Ms Eimear Saunders and Ms Grainne O’Carroll.

Additionally, The Artane Drumline will feature in the concert to lead into the interval under the guidance of Mr Dave Duffy.

The second half of the evening also promises to delight, all in the company of the Artane Senior Band and the Artane Community Choir, led by conductor Laura Wickham.

Guest appearances on the night will be the renowned Dublin Uilleann Piper Mick O’Brien, and Fiddler Ciara Ni Bhriain.

The concert will also feature a Xylophone solo performed by the Artane Drumline tutor Dave Duffy, accompanied by his fellow band members from the Artane Senior Band, and a special presentation will be made to Kevin Owens who performed with the Artane Band over many years.

Tickets start from €15 and are available to purchase now via thehelix.ie.