BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

South of Ireland Band Championships 2022

^{The South of Ireland Band Championships is back on Saturday 2nd July 2022.}

So many people over the last 41 years have looked forward to the 1st Saturday in July for their band music 'fix' so it is great that our friends in music will be able to get together again to entertain, socialise, renew friendships and catch up on all that has happened over the past few years.

Message dated 8th June 2022 from Chairman Ger O'Driscoll:

Dear Friends,

I hope you are all well and looking forward to your visit to Clonakilty on  2^nd July 2022.

I have set out some points below to discuss with your band and any members who might be travelling by car on the day.

1. Click the attached MAP which shows the route to the venues where this year’s competitions will take place.
2. I have also enclosed the Eircodes of these venues to simplify finding their locations.
3. The route from Cork as you enter the town will also be sign posted on the day.
4. Rehearsal rooms for Junior, Intermediate and Senior Bands are also shown on this map, please familiarize yourself with the layout.
5. Intermediate Bands will supply their own music stands for the competition.
6. All bands to bring their own music stands for your performance around town.

      7.  Please ignore the following in italics which was included in the original entry form. There will be a special prize in all categories for the inclusion of an optional celebratory piece to mark July the 4^th.

 Adjudicators: Mr Glyn Williams will adjudicate the Junior and Senior Categories and Ms Helen Williams will adjudicate the Intermediate category.

The Junior and Senior categories will commence punctually in Clonakilty Community Sports hall and the Intermediate Category in the adjacent Sacred Heart Secondary School at 9.30 a.m. respectively. Following the completion of the Junior section, the Senior competition will commence at 11.30am also in the Clonakilty Community Sports Hall. There will be a break for lunch at 1.00 pm and the competition will resume at 2.00 p.m. sharp.

 To ensure the smooth running of this hugely challenging logistical programme, all bands are requested to be present when the competition begins and to be on standby when the preceding band is performing. Your co-operation is vital and greatly appreciated. Should a band not be present in the order of the draw, the next band shall take its place. The order of appearance of the late band will be at the discretion of the organisers. Should a band wish to change its order of performance, the change must be arranged in consultation with the organisers. We appeal to all bands to be in attendance in good time.

Please take special note of the following:

1.      Setting-up time is 10 minutes max. The first band of the day and first after lunch should set up ten minutes before performance time.
2.       NB. Senior and Intermediate bands which exceed 15 minutes, and Junior bands which exceed 12 minutes will be penalised.
3.       Remember to bring your own music stands and percussion. To facilitate the Senior and Junior categories, 50 music stands will be  available in the Clonakilty Community Hall only.
4.       Please note that a maximum of three players, who are not permanent members of the particular band performing, may be included for competition purposes on condition that they are declared prior to the competition.
5.       If you have not already supplied your repertoire, please do so immediately as our programme is ready to go to print. Note that we already requested their submission by Tuesday, June 7 so please co-operate.
6.       A copy of the scores is to be provided for the adjudicators on the day. Please do not post them and remember to collect them after the performance.
7.       As per the attached map, the nearby Sacred Heart Secondary School by kind permission of the Principal, has been made available to us for limited rehearsal time only. Please note that all belongings must be removed following the band’s competition performance. We thank you for your co-operation.
8.       All cups and trophies must be returned in time for the display. These awards are presented in memory of people dedicated to music and are of special significance to all of us.
9.       We thank all our sponsors whose representatives will be with us for the prizegiving, which will take place after the Senior competition. As always, we thank you for your co-operation in bringing the music to the streets. This is what makes Clon’s Bands Day so special for everyone. We will be in touch to arrange suitable times and locations for your short street recital and we acknowledge this generous gesture.

NB. Please ensure that you take care of your belongings and leave nothing behind.

Finally, let’s hope that the sun will shine and that your visit to Clonakilty will be successful and enjoyable. We look forward to welcoming you all, especially our new bands. Safe travelling and the best of luck!

 Yours in Music,

Ger O Driscoll.

Bands Coordinator

Message from Chairman Ger O'Driscoll about the 2022 competition:

41st South of Ireland Band Championships Clonakilty

Dear Friends,
Clonakilty will celebrate its annual Bands Day with the 41st South of Ireland
Band Championships on Saturday, July 2nd.
Once again we look forward to welcoming you all to an occasion which will be
as successful and enjoyable as in the past. Each year the recitals on the streets
are warmly received and with your kind co-operation we hope to follow the
same format again this year.
As we expect many visitors to town on that weekend it is important that bands
staying overnight should book accommodation without delay. Contact
Clonakilty Tourist Office at 023-8833226 or email [email protected]

Rules and Entry Form can be downloaded HERE 

Please complete the entry form and return it
as soon as possible but not later than Friday, April 8th – hard copy only.
We look forward to your participation.  If you know of any other band which
has not come to Clonakilty in the past, please pass on the word. You are our
best referees!
If we do not have your email address, kindly let us have it so that we can
communicate through that medium.
Yours sincerely,
Gerald O Driscoll
(Bands Coordinator)
2 Curraghrane Beg, North Ring, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Mobile: 086-8231341. Email: [email protected]

In the meantime why not listen to some of the bands who participated in our virtual band concert in 2021
 

South of Ireland Band Championships Virtual Concert 2021

Band

Music

Conductor/Musical Director

Anthony McDermott Mayor of Clonakilty speech re South Of Ireland Band Championships Virtual Concert

South of Ireland Band Championships 2021

Dear Friends,
I hope you are all keeping well and safe in these very challenging times.
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the current advice from the HSE and Government in
regards to social distancing and the ongoing concern about the spread of this virus, it is with
great regret that we have had to cancel this year’s “South of Ireland Band
Championships”.
We hope to mark this year’s event on July 3rd by holding a Virtual Bands Festival like what
we had done in 2020.
Please keep in touch with our Website and Facebook page for further updates.

Yours in Music,
Gerald O Driscoll.
Chairman,
South of Ireland Band championships.

South of Ireland Band Championships 2020

The South of Ireland Band Championships due to be held  in 2020 on 4th July unfortunately had to be cancelled. However after 40 years it was felt that we couldn't let the day pass without providing band music for all the people who for so many years have looked forward to the 1st Saturday in July for their band music 'fix'.
So at 9.30 a.m. on 4th July 2021 everyone will have an opportunity to view and listen to bands who have participated in the competition over the years here on this website.

This is not a competition nor is it a movie of all the bands participating. Instead it will follow the programme format of previous South of Ireland Band Championships where all of the bands are listed and instead of turning up at the appointed time in the Community Hall to listen to a particular band one can just click on the band of your choice.
It is hoped that this virtual band programme will go in some way to acknowledge all the great band performances over the years and the huge community interest and support for this event and ensure that the 1st Saturday in Clonakilty in July will always be about great music and the friendship that it brings.

Introduction by our MC Eileen Kingston of South of Ireland Band Championships Virtual Concert 2020

South of Ireland Band Championships Virtual Concert 2020

Band

Music

Conductor/Musical Director

 Pádraig O'Reilly Mayor of Clonakilty speech re South Of Ireland Band Championships Virtual Concert