| The City of Limerick Pipe Band |
| Current Band Hall: St. Michael's Church, Perry Square, Limerick City Practice Times: (Juvenille) Tuesday and Thursday 6-8 p.m. Additional practice on Saturday at 12:30 a.m. Practice Times: (Senior) Tuesday and Thursday 8 till late! Pipe Major: Michael Egan. A bit of a living legend with a wealth of piping experience behind him, both on the solo and band scene. Has played in the World Pipe Band Championships at Grade 5, 4, 3, 2 with the Curragour and City of Limerick and in Grade 1 with the St. Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band in Dublin. Has competed successfully in every competition in the Republic and North of Ireland, highlights being placed 1st in the Ulster Solo's and 2nd in the All-Ireland. He has also competed at the Highland games and in the Scottish Pipers Association of London competition. He is a fanatical Piobaireachd player and is slowly but surely roping us all in to play it as well! He plays a set of silver and ivory mounted Henderson Drones which he purchased in Scotland two years ago but also has a set of full silver mounted Naill Drones (the kind of set we all dream of owning), silver and ivory mounted Kennedy Drones (which he played mostly with O'Tooles), and a set of silver and ivory mounted Lawrie Drones. Oh yes, and a set of full silver mounted Fletcher drones purchased recently, and a set of ivory mounted Naill drones and probably numerous other sets that he doesn't tell us anything about. Mick is an absolute gentleman and doesn't believe in the typical "hard man" pipe major routine. He is a very meticulous and patient teacher and has an excellent ability to set up the band. Produces the best solo sound I have heard from any piper in the country (Jonathan Greenlees comes a close second). Drum Seargent: Matthew Ring. "Dick Spring", as he is affectionately known by the ladies has been drum seargent for over four years, having inherited the job from Ian Kiely. He has certainly been thrown into the deep end but has buckets of ability and confidence. Cannot stand silence and won't keep his mouth shut for more than 15 sec which leaves him a target for numerous slaps at band practice. Pipers Andy Bamberger: Zimbabwe-born Andy is also a member of the Sean Tracey Pipe Band from Littleton in Tipperary. This is his third year with the band. He plays a set of silver and ivory mounted Henderson drones. Keen Piobaireachd player. Andy Cooney: Pipe Seargent of the Sean Tracey Pipe Band. Very good Piobaireachd player, winner of the novice piobaireachd at the Piobaireachd Society Thurles 2002. Plays a set of silver and ivory mounted Henderson Drones. Philip Doran: A priceless member of the band, Philip is a tireless worker who donates a lot of time both teaching and fundraising. He is also the band secretary. He competes regularly at all the solo competitions in the Republic and at the All Ireland solo's each year. He plays a set of silver and ivory mounted Drones made by Larry Lynsey that are modelled on old MacDougall's John Leamy: Comes from Tulla, plays the pipes. Conal McNamara: Currently studing traditional music performance in the University of Limerick, Conal is the first Highland piper to enrol in this course. He hails from Achill Island and made history by winning a silver medal in the 400 metres at the Paralympics in Athens 2004 - What an achievement! Very talented piper and is heavily influenced by Terry Tully and SLOTPB. Plays a set of McCallum "Medalist" Drones. Peter O'Connell: The Prodigal Piper who has returned to the band after a 2-year "absence". Very talented player, gives a unique rendition of Gabriel's Oboe. Plays a set of Ivory mounted Naill Drones. Kevin "Shadow" O' Sullivan: Looks like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth but according to his antics in Lorient, it certainly would! Very solid player, former piper with Cobh. Andrea Cooney: Andy's Daughter who is a really promising player, she regularly attends classes with Stephen Power. Plays a set of ivory mounted Robertson Drones. JP Cooney: Another Cooney prodigy. Excellent prospect in both light music and ceol mor. Plays a set of ivory mounted Robertson Drones. Drummers Dave Morrison: moved over from Glasgow to work in Nenagh, but unfortunately for us, back to Scotland again. Dave is now a "guest drummer" with the band. He is married to the lovely Patsy, who is an occasional "guest tenor drummer" with us. They provided us with a brilliant weekend on the occasion of their wedding in Glasgow in June '04. Catherine Cooney: Andy's wife Catherine also plays with the Sean Tracey PB but plays the Bass Drum with us. Very patient woman to put up with us eejits. John Stewart: Gifted drummer from Kilkishen, Co. Clare. I know hardly anyone has heard of him but I will put my head on the block and predict that he will win a major drumming title within 10 years. Emer Stewart: John's sister who is playing tenor in her first season with the band. Conor Cooney: Absolute psycho but excellent drummer. Evan Ring: Just what we need, another Ring in the band............ Further pen pictures to follow shortly.... |