What's in a name? In the case of St. Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band - everything. Every word has a meaning.
St.Columcille, an Irish prince and warrior who became a priest and scholar, was an Irish saint who brought Christianity to Scotland and from the Scottish Isle of Iona spread faith, knowledge and culture throughout Europe. St. Columcille is a symbol of the unity of people, all people, but particularly the Scots and the Irish; historically, two different names for the same race.
Sean McGonigal founded a pipe band that he wanted to be different than any that had ever gone before. Sean chose St. Columcille to represent his ideal, the unity of the Gael. He underscored his theme by adding United Gaelic, for Sean wanted St. Columcille UGPB not to represent one faction or another, but all who were proud of their blood and heritage - Irish and Scot - Protestant and Catholic. And within this theme of unity of people his own goal was simple enough and he expressed it in the motto of the band - Ar Aghaidh Le Ceol na nGael - Forward the music of the Gael.
The Ancient McLean of Duarth tartan, a symbol of steadfastness and bravery in the face of adversity, is worn by the band. To learn more about the McLean Clan, visit this site : http://www.tartans.com/clans/MacLean/maclean.html
Since making it first appearance in the Holy Name Parade in October 1949, St.Columcille UGPB has made its mark. Few pipe bands, no matter how good, last 25 years. Few bands, no matter how long they survive, have won as many honors as St. Columcille. The band has twice won national championship honors, taking top prize at the Ladentown, New York Scottish Games in 1958, and at the United Irish Counties Feis in 1964.
Success of any human endeavor over a long period of time is not luck, but the result of hard work, good planning and a binding cause. St. Columcille has had all three.
The band's ideals are those set forward by Sean; an affection for all people, and love of the Gaelic heritage. In America, the "great melting pot", Sean wanted to secure a lasting place for the music and culture of the Gael.
It has been the destiny of the Gael for many centuries to suffer wrongs rather than inflict them. This is not an ignoble history and our heritage is one of which to be proud. It is a tradition of beauty in decorative art and in lyrical poetry, of incandescent imagination in literature, of devotion to ideas rather than to material gain, of vitality and the will to survive and indeed, courage in battle, too.
This is the music of our blood - Ar Aghaidh le Ceól na n Gaél
ONWARD THE MUSIC OF THE GAEL
