Formal recognition of the service given by Ennis Brass Band to the county will be acknowledged at a future ceremony.
This year, Ennis Brass Band celebrated their 50th anniversary but on account of the pandemic they have been unable to mark the occasion. In a statement to The Clare Echo last month, the band issued their thanks to the people of the county for their continued support over the past five decades.
Agreement has been reached by elected representatives of the Ennis Municipal District that the Brass Band will be acknowledged for their service between now and the end of the current Council term in 2024.
Cllr Ann Norton (IND) tabled a request at the April meeting of the Ennis MD for the band to be honoured for their “work and dedication” to the county. She praised the individuals involved for the “joy they have given to the people of Ennis, the people of our county and further afield”.
She reflected, “When you look back over the years over the different people involved within the Ennis Brass Band for such a long period of time and you recognise there is quite a lot of family members who have grown up and continued to stay within the Brass Band that their families have joined, it is a generational thing which is fantastic. Unfortunately some members of the Brass Band have passed away, some of them quite young. They really are the backbone of Ennis and our county, no matter what the event is the Brass Band are always in attendance”.
An event such as a Mayoral reception should be held when restrictions allow, the Barefield representative believed. “It might be next year but I don’t want COVID to take away from the ability and chance to pay tribute to the people involved with Ennis Brass Band for the last 50 years”.
Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) seconded the proposal. “What the Brass Band have done for the town and wider area over 50 years has been exemplary. It should be acknowledged when the time is right”.
Ennis Brass Band were hailed as “a massive asset to our town and community. They have a great sense of community,” Cllr Mary Howard (FG) noted. She commended the volunteers for their input to Christmas concerns, St Patrick’s Day parades and events at the War Memorial. “They are an intricate part of Ennis and a part of Ennis we are very proud of. They have been very successful in comps all over Ireland. It is important that we acknowledge and appreciate everything they do for our community”. She suggested that a letter from the MD be sent in the interval.
“As an Ennis man, I’m very proud of the Brass Band,” Cllr Pat Daly (FF) outlined. He lauded their “outstanding” contribution and singled out the McAllister family for their efforts with the band. Spirits of the town have been raised on countless occasions by the Brass Band, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) felt which demonstrated the importance of music.
Recommendation that a letter be sent was supported by Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) who deemed the McAllister family to be “the heart and spirit of the band”.
