Brian Quinn has been marching in a Dungloe band for 70 years

A presentation was made by Kevin Bonner to Brian Quinn who has marched in the Ancient Order of Hibernian (AOH) band for many years. 

Kevin is the grandson of John Walsh who first established the band in 1953. John Walsh was the leader of the AOH 1939 Dungloe band. 

Brian,81, recalls the early days of the band when he joined, he said: "I was in the band in 1953, at the time I was eleven years of age and four months. It was very different back then. The first Easter Sunday competition took place in Dungloe in 1953."

Four different sections were in the competition that year among which were the fife and drum band from Falcarragh which won the open and the Keadue band which won the confined categorie. The following year, Keadue won the open and Roisin won the confined category. 

Band members agreed there has been a proud tradition of marching bands in Dungloe for many years. The original members of the AOH band were Paddy Cecily, Paul Sweeney, Hughie Pat Cannon, John Rua Gallagher, Donald Timoney, Jackie Green, Dan Deerey, Paddy Coll, Petie McGee, Jim Duffy, John Gallagher, John Duffy and Brian Quinn. 

Petie McGee, 81, a member of the original band is sad that he can't march alongside his fellow members. 

"There's Petie now, he needs his hip done but he didn't get it done in time - if he had it done he would be marching with us today," Brian says.

Petie said: "We are a long time on the go. It is a lovely tradition. It was a pleasure to get into a band that time.

"The hibernian band was a big thing that time throughout Ireland and on the fifteenth of August every we would all assemble in different towns throughout the county. Bands from the north of Ireland used to come in. In 1968, there were over 30 bands here. The last time was 1992 in Dungloe when we had 29 bands," he recalled. 

At that time bands from as far afield as Scotland joined in the march in Dungloe.

Band member and County President of the AOH in 1993, John Murray, recalls a rich tradition which stood out among other bands: "The tradition to the AOH band is fantastic, they had an introduction to every tune as well." 

Petie and Brian recall years of traveling around the county. 

The band learnt their tunes, they say, in the building behind them, which at time was John Walsh's shop. Brian added that they would have a dance in the big AOH hall and a parish hall on August 15 when all the festivities of the day came to an end. 

Kevin said he is proud of the band his grandfather started in Dungloe many years ago. In his presentation to Brian, he said: "On behalf of the family of the late Johnny Walsh, I would like to present you with this plaque commemorating your years in the AOH band and over the years in the Crickamore band. I would also like to wish you many more happy days out in the band."

The plaque reads: "To Mr Brian Quinn, first outing St Patrick's day, John Walsh's AOH band at 11 years old and still marching 1953 - 2023. Presented by Kevin Bonner grandson of John Walsh."