James Connolly Flute Band Carnlough

15th August 2008

CAVAN PARADE

After all the rain over the past few weeks it was a welcome relief to find that the weather had brightened up for a change.  The band assembled at the bottom of Bay Fields for a march in through Carnlough.  As we assembled we discovered that one of our fluters decided she was so good she only required half a flute to play our tunes but that was soon rectified by another member finding the remainder of her flute in the car.  We had a few new members marching with us on their first parade so it was quite a day and as we were later to find one of the best days the band has had as a whole.  As we set off out of Bay Fields the atmosphere was great, the band was really up beat and lookin forward to the day.  The first tune we played was "Foggy Dew" and although it was pretty early in the morning a few supporters came out to watch which was nice.  We played "The Rifles Of The IRA" across the bridge and the tourists from teh coaches began to emerge from their hiding places in the village.  Coming to the harbour the crowds were thicker than usual and Petravogue rang out in all its glory as we passed the tourists taking pictures and videos of the band and the support was amazing from the people of Carnlough.  Along the back Street we played "God Save Ireland" to the smiles of bystanders watching from their doors and windows and although most of the time the band usually stops at the Bridge we carried on and headed for the Harbour Carpark where we played "The Ballad Of James Connolly" in respect of the whom the band is named after.  As usual it was followed by Amhran na bhFiann our National Anthem.  I'm sure the band will agree with me that we were pleased to see the tourists respecting our Anthem and standing to attention with the rest of the supporters.  After a round of applause we were ordered to fall out and we free to get some refreshment from the shop.

As the band boarded the bus the we could tell it was going to be another great day for the Pride Of The Glens and as such we all knew in ourselves that we were going to out do ourselves more than ever.  As we set off the banter was good, new members enjoying their first parade and OLD members likewise.  It took us quite a while finding out that we were taking the long way round and after finding out that the toilet on the bus was a disgrace and made you feel sea sick (ironicaly) we ended up stopping at a small village just outside Cavan called Butlersbridge which had all the modern amenities of any small village in the shape of two pubs which had.....well.....they had a toilet and not much else.  GREAT PLACE TO STOP!!!  So the nice lady in the bar in the middle of Butlersbridge made sandwiches for the members of the band who landed on her doorstep and the members who went to the larger more opulent bar on the outskirts of the village got a slap up meal.  In any case fun was had by all and all in all eveyone had a good laugh and a few pints to refresh themselves and by that time we were off again but not before a visit to a beautiful chapel beside the river in Butlersbridge where a few prayers were said by a couple of our members.

As we arrived in cavan fifteen minutes later we found the crowds had started to gather to watch the parade and after a few word from the Garda Siochana we found the car park where we were to begin the parade.  As we arrived in the carpark we found that it was literally packed by bands and supporters along with their buses and was a bit of a squeeze to get parked.  The band gladly disembarked from the bus and began to get ready for the parade which wasn't long in starting and after a few practise tunes in which we showed the rest of the bands what we could do we formed up in the wrong place, showing in contrast what we could do wrong.  As the rest of the bands filed off into the distance the first beat was struck and we were off on the left and away.  As we marched down out of the carpark "The Rifles Of The IRA" rang out with pride as we marched through one of the largest crowds we have ever seen.  The atmosphere was electric as the crowd clapped and cheered for the James Connolly RFB, PRIDE OF THE GLENS and as we rounded the corner onto Main Street a few of our supporters clapped and cheered us along.  With the band going well we finished "The Rifles" and moved onto "Spancill Hill" which seemed to go down well with the bystanders at the side of the road and as we marched on we found that we were actually on a Street which was very close to our hearts, James Connolly Street.  We stopped on James Connolly Street for a while as the rest of the bands moved on and played "Bold Fenian Men".  As we marched onto College Street a member of our flute Core was attacked by a low flying unidentified object known only as a "wasp" which seemed to amuse the crowd greatly, infact it amused the whole band greatly but we'll say nothing about that.  When order was restored and the UFO shot out of the sky by the members flailing arms the band marched on and played Petravogue and going by the tapping of one mans feet it was a tune not to be missed as we marched onto Farnham Street the band played "Dying Rebel" to applause from a few passers by who took delight in taking pictures of our bass drum and the band in general.  With that the band halted and was allowed a few minutes rest outside the Library and Genealogical research centre as the rest of the bands caught up and the bands in front moved off.  As the beat struck we were off again to a huge round of applause as we played "James Connolly" to the delight of the crowd on Thomas Ashe Street where the crowd were not only clapping and roaring but also dancing which was nice to see.  As we turned right onto main Street again we started off with Petravogue which went down a storm judging by the crowd cheering and clapping at the side of the road, I'm sure the band will agree larger crowds have rarely been seen and was a sight to behold.  When we had finished "Petravogue" the band moved onto "God save Ireland" which I think its fair to say blew a few people away by the sheer noise of the music and the way it was played and no other band plays the tune the way we do and after an intro from a man on a forty foot trailer we stopped at the entrance to the car park where we had first begun the parade with a round of applause from the swelling crowd.  the noise was unbelieveable as we played "Billy Reid" and then "Only Our Rivers Run Free" to an amazing round of applause from the crowd and with that we marched off to the "Rifles Of The IRA" as loud and proud as ever.  As we neared the top of the hill we began "God Save Ireland" and I think I can safely say we have never played this tune as loud as we did that day or on that one occasion and the other bands loved it without a doubt.  After we were ordered to fall out we headed for some refreshment in the nearby resturaunt where tea, coffee and sandwiches had been laid on for the bands and AOH members and was greatly appreciated. 

After that we were back on the bus and heading back to Carnlough again with a nice dubious little detour through an orange parade in Portadown which we got through safely enough and unscathed.  I mean obviously we weren't scared.....anyway as the band neared Carnlough the tension began to mount for the next march back through Carnlough again and this time the village would be full.  So the band disembarked at Bay Fields again and formed ranks and we were off again, this time ready to make sure people heard us.  As we arrived at the bridge we played "Only Our Rivers Run Free" which the bystanders seemed to enjoy as they were all tapping their feet to the music and clapping.  The band moved off again towards the harbour and was met by supporters as we played "The Rifles Of The IRA" in which the drums only sounded loud because they were under the bridge....*cough*.  As we turned the corner "Spancill Hill" rang out and the supporters now following us were clearly haveing a great time as they were clapping and singing along to the tunes we were playing.  As the band neared the bars we played "James Connolly" and a crowd came out of the bars to watch as we marched by and at the bridge we started with "Bold Fenian Men" and moved onto "Petravogue" and witht hat we marched off to the tune of "Billy Reid".  As we marched through the village again and once more towards the harbour the sound of "Roddy McCorley" could be heard as we marched below the bridge again, again the drums could only be heard because of the echo *cough*.  And as we marched up the Croft we played "Go On Home British Soldiers" as the supporters sang along to the tune.  With that we turned left towards the Community centre and the end of the march.  In the carpark we played "Petravogue" and "James Connolly" and finally finished off with Amhran na bhFiann.  With another day over and no more than three marches in one day, we can safely say we out performed ourselves and we think we out performed every other band there.  We're the James Connolly RFB......THE PRIDE OF THE GLENS...Remember the name.

LOUD AND PROUD

Volunteer Kevin Lynch memorial parade

Dungiven - Sunday 27 July 2008

Although a bright sunny day, Sunday was tainted by the memory of the death of Volunteer Kevin Lynch from Dungiven a brave I.N.L.A volunteer who died on Saturday 1st of August 1981 at 1:00am after 71 days on hunger strike, 

MAY HE REST IN PEACE 

The day started as always with a few problems hailing back to other members of the band but nothing that couldn't be over come with the band working together.  As everyone boarded the bus for Dungiven the sun shone bright and warm.  As we drove off no-one knew it would prove to be an interesting drive to Dungiven owing to the fact that the driver had his mind on other matter and decided to go the long way round.  As we neared Dungiven we came across three car loads of Dunloy RFB members who had the unfortunate task of changing a flat tyre and we stopped to offer some assistance but none was needed.

As we entered Dungiven the atmosphere was quiet and peaceful but owing to the driver as I mentioned before, we were now late and the parade was about to begin.  So we quickly disembarked and proceeded to make ready for the parade.  Everyone was off the bus and formed up and the parade begun, marching off with two new flag carriers for the colour party.  The sun beat down on the parade and we marched to a single beat in memory and respect of this brave volunteer who gave his life for our great land and its people.  As the parade reached his house we halted and the Kevin Lynch MFB from Dungiven itself slow marched the rest of the way to the chapel car park.  The silence from the crowd was amazing and the amount of respect they had for this man was shown by the amount of people who turned out to show their gratitude and respect for the sacrifice he gave.

As the rest of the bands entered the chapel car park the Kevin Lynch MFB paraded round to the back of the car park where they were stood at ease and after a few words from a guest speaker the KLMFB were asked to play Kevin Lynch/Harp without a crown which I'm sure the other bands in attendance will agree was played with honour and pride for this man.  The guest speakers spoke of Kevin and the sacrifice he made in giving his life on hunger strike and also his great love of sports which he is known for.

When I speeches were finished with the bands formed up once more and after marching down the road again to a single beat were told they could play when they were passed Kevins house.  Role of Honour was first to sound out, a fitting tribute to Kevin and his brave comrades who died in 1981 on hunger strike in Long Kesh.  The crowds were gathered either side of the bands and walked down the road in great form as the bands came to the Garvagh Road the Kevin Lynch MFB let the rest of the bands pass through and onto the Garvagh Road and as the Dunloy RFB passed they fell in behind them and continued their parade.  By this time a rest was needed as the heat was becoming somewhat of a burden and out bass drummer decided he needed a shower and emptied a bottle of water over his head.  As the band continued on we played Black and tans and Botany bay and took a left onto Station Road where we played Go On Home after a slight mishap and confusion on the part of the fluters.  As the band turned left onto the Ballyquin road the breeze refreshed our spirits and we struck up with Only Our Rivers Run Free and  played it loud and proud and then we turned left onto Main Street again where, as we passed the PSNI station we played Petravogue which I'm sure the rest of the band will agree we played with all our hearts and its sounded great.  nearing the end of the parade each band was asked to play a tune for the waiting crowd and we picked Only Our Rivers Run Free and Long Kesh which was met with a round of applause after our bass drummer going to get a drink and one of our side drummers worrying if he was going to have to play the side drum as well as the bass.  All in all, even after the problems that morning which were out of our control the band had a great time and we thank the Kevin Lynch MFB for making the day a sucess and an enjoyable parade for all.

The band would also like to extend our gratitude to two young members who at a moments notice changed roles and became temporary members of our colour party....MANY THANKS!!!

Vol. PEARCE JORDAN PARADE - WHITEROCK ROAD TO TURF LODGE

The parade started with the band in high spirits after a long stretch off the road.  There was in the region of 7 bands in attendance.  The bands formed up at the top of the Whiterock Road just above Ballymurphy.  As the bands lined up in the car park and round the corner into Divismore Crescent, Eire Nua led the parade and marched away down the Whiterock Road followed by the rest of the bands .  As the drum struck the first beat we were off marching up the Springfield Road and onto the Whiteroack Road playin 'Roll of Honor', With only six flutes, 2 side drums, one bass and a four man colour party on the day the band had to play against unbelieveable odds and larger bands with up to six side drums and two bass drums.

As the band neared the bottom of the Whiterock Road the parade came to a halt on the Falls Road for the playing of 'Pearse Jordan' an ex member of Eire Nua and an IRA volunteer, shot in the back and killed by the RUC.  As the parade progressed along the Falls Road to the roundabout at Milltown cemetery the crowds started to thicken and our band played just as loud as any of the larger bands if not louder and with more spirit.  We played 'God Save Ireland' as we entered Turf lodge and play it seriously loud if I do say so myself.  As we turned into Norfolk gardens we started playing a tune we had never played before on a parade 'Bring Them Home' and I can say without a doubt and judging by the crowd that for the first time playing it we did pretty well.

From Norfolk Gardens we marched onto Norglen Road and a hill that would put lungs and legs to the test, but the band played well with only six flutes and three drums and the colour party marched like troopers.  As we got near Trinity Lodge the bands played their final tunes before turning into the Lodge and SQUEEZING IN as much as they could to ensure the rest of the bands got in.  When all the bands thought they had played the last tune of a tiring parade, they were caught off guard by the news that all bands had to play one last tune for the rest.  Our band played 'ONLY OUR RIVERS RUN FREE'.  Some bands took liberties and played two, which a few bands weren't happy with as it was freezing by this stage and warmth lay inside Trinity Lodge but all in all a good day was had by everyone.  Once inside a quiz was held and three members of every band had to represent their own band.  Most members of the other bands got at least five answers.  NOOOOOOO not the JCRFB, three.......we got all of three right as three people were nominated to do the quiz which was a big mistake.  Apparently Shane O'Neill was a hunger Striker, thatshow bad it was.  As before, everyone had a great day and the band played as we always do, with pride and determination and pride for the name we've become known for, the James Connolly RFB.....PRIDE OF THE GLENS.

Easter Rising commemoration - Falls Road - Sunday 23rd March 2008

As per usual the day started off with the customary downpour of rain which I have to say somewhat dampened the spirits of some but as always we battled on.  We stood at Ard-na-va on the Falls Road, just up the Road from RPG Avenue aka Beechmount Avenue.  The whole atmosphere of the day was that of a carnival with pike men (and women) from Cork and various other displays such as that of the 1916 flying column armed with a Lewis Machine Gun 303., an SMLE. (Short Magazine Lee Enfield) No1. MK3. 303 rifle and various pistols such as the Webley MK5 revolver.  As the parade was about to start the Felons pipe band played "Amhran Na bhFiann" and then the parade began lead by the Felons pipe band followed by Eire Nua then Vol. Sean McIlvenna RFB from Glasgow, the James Connolly RFB and last in line Belfast martyrs.  The crowds at Beechmount gathered round to watch the bands file out and devided by such displays as the flying columns.  As we marched through the crowd our first tune was "Black and Tans" to a round of applause and off we went.  The crowds lined he whole route up the Falls Road, some singing along to the tunes, the younger supporters clapping and dancing....."The Rifles Of The IRA" a strange tune to dance to, but entertaining all the same.  As we approached Saint James Park the crowds began to thinken so that the whole footpath was bustling with people trying to get a look at the bands going by.  As we got to the Whiterock Road roundabout we played "Spancil Hill" for which we got a round of applause and we marched on.  As we passed Hugo Street, the spot where Vol. Pearse Jordan was murdered by the RUC we played "Only Our Rivers Run Free" by now the crowds had begun to thin out again and we had a few minutes rest as we passed Falls Park on the right hand side.

With a well earned rest behind us, we got straight into "Bold Fenian Men" which seemed to go down well with the crowd which had built up behind us, some even making a REALLY bad attempt of humming and whistling along with us. A few minutes later we were approaching the Milltown Roundabout, the old site of the much hated Andersonstown RUC barracks which brought so much misery and grief to the residents of West Belfast.  A huge crowd had gathered here and we entered Milltown cemetery, the site of the Republican Plot, to a huge round of applause and the sound of "Long Kesh", as we marched through the cemetery people stood and watched as we marched by, maybe it was the way Chris wore his beret like a tea cosy, but I suspect it was the precision with which we marched through the plot, not a foot out of place and I think we all felt truly proud of that.  When the band got into the cemetery a bit, we played "Dying Rebel" a fitting last tune as it tells the story of the Easter Rising of 1916.  We approached the finish and were stood to attention, then dismissed.  The band stood for a while and listened to the words of a few speakers, said a decade of the Rosary and listened to the 1916 Proclamation then left.

We left our flutes and berets on the bus and headed for the Felons Club on the Falls Road.  A group was playing and the craic was good.  After a well earned drink some of the younger members went round the other bands and supporters and sold a few ballet tickets for our Easter draw.  We then received word that we were being asked to play four or five tunes in the interval while the group had  rest.  So back out to the bus we went and collected out flutes, drums and berets...AGAIN.  As the group played their last song, we moved onto the floor and began to mark time for our first tune which was "Only Our Rivers Run Free" we played with only the tricolour displayed in the colour party and as the first roll rang out the crowd began to chant "I..R..A" .  We played as we always do, LOUD AND PROUD, and the crowd loved it, cheers and claps rang through the room and we played our second tune "The Rifles Of The IRA" to the shouts and screams of the crowd...literally.  Four tunes turned into five tunes.  Five tunes turned into seven tunes and seven tunes turned into ten tunes.  Before we knew it it was time to play "Amhran Na bhFiann"  EVERYONE did their best and it was hard to hear with the noise of the crowd, and the crowd sang along to the tune.  When it had all ended we got a massive round of applause and alot of back slapping all round.  Even members of Eire Nua came and congatulated us on an amazing performance, last time it was them chanting "easy, easy, easy" we arn't so easy anymore and we arn't the new band anymore. We're the James Connolly Republican Flute Band, PRIDE OF THE GLENS.

"LOUD AND PROUD"

Vol. Hogan and Martin memorial parade, Dunloy.  Bridge Road to Carness Drive, Sunday 17th Feb 2008

Unlike some of our previous parades we got some good weather for once, which was a nice change.  Although a little cold the weather definitely lifted the spirits of the bands and and supporters. 

We started the day just outside Dunloy on the Bridge Road just past Presbytery Lane where all the bands and supporters met up and began a great day getting to know some of the other bands and their members and trying to keep reasonably warm.  We had seven good fluters for this parade, three side drummers and a bit of a bass drummer.  As the day wore on we ranked up with the rest of the bands, as usual we were the last to get formed up and as always the last to sort ourselves out.  When we eventually got ourselves sorted we played "Only Our Rivers Run Free" which seemed to go down well with the other bands who seemed to be surprised we could make so much noise with such a small core of flutes and drums.  After us the other bands played a few tunes and sounded well as always.   A few minutes later we were on our left foot and away.  "Roll Of Honour" rang out as we marched past some supporters who clapped us by, which could only raise our spirits higher as this was our first parade in a few months.  The first leg of the Parade was a little sparse in terms of on lookers, who all seemed to be in the village itself, which gave us the opportunity to rest up for the main leg through the village itself.  As we neared the village the crowds started to thicken and became louder and so did that bands.  As we entered the main crowd we played "Black and Tans" followed by "Botany Bay" louder than we ever have and the sound of drums and flutes filled the air as we were between bands, not just bands, we were between two BIG bands but we held our own and played loud and proud as we always do and as our motto states.  When all the bands had finished playing, Amhran Na Bhfiann was played.  Then we were off again, playing "Bold Fenian Men" and when we got to Tullaghans Road we bagan to play "Dying Rebel" which we got a round of applause for and continued to march up the hill to Carness Drive and played "Only Our Rivers Run Free" for which received another round of applause from the other bands and I have to say that this tune was played perfectly and it seems all the other bands agreed.  As we stood the "Hills Round Dunloy" was sung and then there were a few speeches by Sinn Fein members and then we were off again playing "James Connolly" to ANOTHER round of applause, and marched back up to the community hall where sandwiches and drinks were available.

All in all we had another good parade, the weather was great and we played well (as always) but practise goes a long way.

Saint Patrick's Day Parade - Draperstown - 15th March 2008

On Saint Patricks Day morning the band formed up at the bottom of beechlands estate in Carnlough to march through Carnlough.  The weather was awful to be honest but that's never stopped us before and it didn't stop us this time either.  As always, problems ensued, but were quickly overcome and the band were soon forming up to begin the march through Carnlough.  On this parade we had six in the flute corp, three in the drum corp, a bass drum and four in the colour party.  The colour party consisting of the starry plough, Na Fianna Eireann sunburst, the papal flag and the tricolour.  As we left Beechlands and moved onto the Bay Road we played 'Roll Of Honour' loud and proud as always.  Although we had only six flutes we played as loud as ever and the drummers played well also.  As we passed the Chapel the drums stopped and we marched in silence except for a faint beat from the bass drum to keep time.  when we had passed the chapel we were off again, 'The Foggy Dew' rang out and we played it the whole way onto the bridge where we stopped and a crowd gathered to watch us play.  The wind blew cold as we stood on the bridge and we played 'The Rifles Of The IRA' to the shouts of the crowd and a few people who were a bit worse for ware, then we played 'Shoot To Kill' and 'Only Our Rivers Run Free' while we marched off along Harbour Road past the Derry Arms Hotel.  As we passed under the bridge we played 'Roddy McCorley' as loud as ever, the drummers beating the drums hard through the chorus.  A few people at the harbour gave us a few shouts of encouragement which were gratefully received and we marched on round the corner onto High Street and played 'Billy Reid' to the cheers of by standers and supporters.  When we got to the Waterfall bar the band was brought to a halt and we played 'The Rifles Of The IRA' again as people came out of the bar to watch, smiles were seen all round and it seemed everyone enjoyed the show including us even though half of us could barely feel our hands.  As we marched away from the Waterfall Bar we stopped at the Bridge again where we played 'Only Our Rivers' and a tune we have only just mastered 'God Save Ireland'.  We surprised everyone there with 'God Save Ireland' and i think truthfully we surprised ourselves also due to the volume we played the tune at.  The drummers had trouble being heard over the flutes during the chorus.  Without a doubt it was a great moment for the JCRFB.  As we marched off onto Harbour Road again we played 'James Connolly' to the cheers of the bystanders and played it the whole way to the harbour, delaying under the bridge so that our bass drummer could be heard in the echo.  As we turned the corner onto into the harbour car park the drummers rolled into 'Black And Tans' and then into 'Botany Bay' as supporters followed us round and watched us finish with Amhran Na bhFiann and a round of applause.

After ten or fifteen minutes we were all on the bus and off to Draperstown for the main Saint Patrick's Day parade.  When we arrived in Draperstown the weather was just as bad, windy and wet, not great weather for playing the flute but that never keeps the Irish down so we got off the bus in the car park on Derrynoyd Road and milled around for half an hour to forty five minutes while the rest of the bands arrived.  The greatest majority of the other bands were accordion bands with a lot of young members like our own band.  All in all there were around forty bands in attendance ninety five percent being accordion bands.  Organised chaos ensued as the bands were given their place in the parade, it seems a lot of bands are afraid to march anywhere near us........I WONDER WHY.  As the first bands marched off out of the car park, which by this time as packed tight with buses of all shapes and sizes, our lead drummer struck the first beat and we were off.  Our first tune was 'Only Our Rivers Run Free', we left the car park to a round of applause from bystanders and supporters and began marching down Derrynoyd Road to the Diamond, which by now was bunged with supporters and onlookers and people just out to make the most of the bad weather, I mean you know what we're like in Ireland.  As we turned the corner onto Six Towns Road the crowds thickened and became louder which urged us to play 'The Rifles Of The IRA' even louder than usual.  The loudest we have played it I think.  The crowds loved it, some even sang along to the tune.  I can't speak for the rest of the band but it filled me with pride for the members of our band to be playing so well and playing well enough that people wanted to sing along with us. "And the Black and Tans, like lightening ran, from the rifles of the IRA".  As we came to the bottom of the hill on Six Towns Road we began to play 'Billy Reid' and as we marched on 'Shoot To Kill' rang out to the applause of the waiting bands at the top of the hill.

When we got to the top of the hill the Kevin Lynch MFB were waiting as they arrived later, and we were stood at ease as the rest of the bands marched past and formed up behind us with their banners.  Then we were off again back down the Six Towns Road to the tune of 'The Foggy Dew' and the beat of the drums.  Bystanders clapped us by as they looked on and then we were onto 'Spancil Hill' loud and proud as ever, the crowd seemed to be enjoying the day which helped us along as they were shouting encouragement to play louder and harder which we gladly did.  As we arrived in the middle of the town again at the diamond the parade stopped and we finished off 'James Connolly' and were stood at ease for a rest.  A couple of the girls used this precious time to slag off some poor guy at the side of the road to the amusement of the bystanders.  After the intervals entertainment we were off again playing 'Only Our Rivers Run Free' and onto the Magherafelt Road where the crowds started to thicken again, when we arrived at the Diamond again for the third time we got stuck into 'Petravogue' to the crowds delight as some were whistling and humming along to the tune as we went by.  Half way through the crowd we were told to play 'Boolavogue' to the amazement of the band, but orders are orders and we played it anyway and I must say it was a great attempt as the crowd seemed to love it too, for some reason we couldn't do any wrong, unless we threw out a Union Jack but that wasn't going to happen so we were safe enough.  As we cleared the crowds we were ushered into a small car park on the left hand side of Six Towns Road and we turned round. Then, just as we thought we were finished we were off, back up Six towns Road again to 'The Rifles Of The IRA' with the crowd shouting and singing away and the band playing VERY loud and sharp we turned left onto the Derrynoyd Road at the Diamond while trying to avoid being flattened by a car.  As we arrived at the gates of  the car park we were cued up behind two other flute bands and a car who's driver was persistent to get by before the bands so after he got his way the bands moved on and we held back.  When the other bands had finally moved through the gates our band began its approach.  When we were just entering the car park on the Derrynoyd Road we hit 'God Save Ireland' and this time we got everyones attention, we were loud, and everyone knew it now.  We blew people away, the lads of the Sons Of Ireland (Rasharkin) were singing and dancing along to the tune and everyone else just stood and watched us as we marched into the car park.  The bands who arrived into the car park after us just gave up playing as they couldn't be heard and as we finished the last verse we were stood to attention and ordered to "fall out".  I'm sure the band will agree Draperstown was a great sucess for us as a band.  We still had a few hours in Draperstown so the band members dispersed in their own directions and got something to eat or got a well earned drink.  Our bass drummer was feeling a bit, well....lets just say he'd had a hard night and was feeling a bit fragile so he stayed on the bus.

On the way back to carnlough the craic was great as always, we'd had a great parade in Draperstown after a great parade in Carnlough and now it was time to show Carnlough we meant business once and for all.  As we arrived back in Carnlough at the bottom of Beechlands the weather hadn't improved much, the rain had stopped but the wind was still blowing  and it was cold.  We quickly got the drums and flags off the bus and formed up and once again for the third time that day we were marching again.  Playing 'The Foggy Dew' in the Bay Road, it was good to be back in Carnlough again and as before we marched past the chapel to the faint beat of the bass drum as a sign of respect.  Then it was onto 'Roddy McCorley' which sounded pretty loud bearing in mind this was the third time we had marched in one day and I think I can speak for the band this time in saying we were all knackered.  As we approached the bridge the crowd gathered, thicker than before and we stopped on the bridge to play a few tunes.  We played 'Shoot To Kill', 'Only Our Rivers Run Free' and marched off to 'Spancil Hill' as we approached the harbour a small crowd had followed us from the bridge and a few more followed on from the harbour.  As we marched onto High Street the band played 'Billy Reid' and supporters clapped and waved as we marched by their houses.  As before when we arrived at the Waterfall Bar the crowds emptied onto the footpath to watch as we played 'The Rifles Of The IRA'.  Some were singing along with the tune which greatly lifted our spirits after a long day and gave us that bit more energy to finish the march.  When we got to the bridge for the second time we stopped to play a few more tunes.  We started with 'Shoot To Kill' which went down well with the supporters who again, sang along and cheered.  After 'Dying Rebel' and 'James Connolly' we played 'God Save Ireland' again which brought a couple of seconds silence as it sunk in that we were playing so well and loud and as it come to the chorus the crowd was heard singing along to the tune.  Off we went again playing 'Take Me Home To Mayo' along harbour Road and into 'Black And Tans' and we marched up the Croft Road.  As we got half way up we began to play 'Patriot Game' and as before the people came out of their houses to watch which greatly lifted our spirits.  As we turned left into the car park we played 'Petravogue' and then we were brought to a halt to play 'James Connolly' to a few supporters.  As we finished 'James Connolly' we were brought to "attention" and Amhran Na bhFiann, our National Anthem was played. 

I can't say any less than, the band played amazingly well and we should be proud of ourselves and our supporters as they came out onto the streets to support their band.  Without a doubt this was one of, if not THE milestone the band was looking for, we've shown other more well known bands that we can play just as well if not better and louder than them without the greater numbers.  LOUD AND PROUD.......its the only way to be.