News Archive October 2007

There’s no doubt that the eagerly anticipated visit to Cleveland got off to a dramatic start! We had hoped for an unforgettable journey but not quite in this manner. Many will already be aware that the coach went on fire in Newport, a mere 27 miles into our journey to Shannon Airport. Although the coach was completely destroyed by the fire, no one was hurt and the spirit of the group could not be so easily extinguished! All arrived safe and sound in Cleveland with instruments intact. By the time everybody arrived the group numbered 78 in total.

Even though we were kept up-to-date with all the arrangements being made in Cleveland, we were completely overwhelmed by the outstanding hospitality and the warm welcome extended to the Pipe Band and the whole group. Every detail had been attended to and no stone was left unturned in the preparations made by the Welcoming Committee in Cleveland.

An informal welcome party was held on Friday the 13th followed by the Gala Dinner Dance on Sunday the 15th of July. 320 people attended the dinner which was held in the Westside Irish American Club. The Pipe Band performed and was then joined by the East Side Pipe Band. James Gallagher presented a framed photo of the Pipe Band with Minaun Cliffs in the background to Steve Molloy who kindly accepted it on behalf of the Cleveland Welcoming Committee. Steve in turn presented James with a framed picture of the Cleveland Skyline. It was a very enjoyable function and a chance to meet up with friends and family.

Trips were arranged to a baseball match between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox and to the truly impressive Niagara Falls. The group spent a day in Cedar Point – the roller-coaster capital of the world. Nerves of steel were definitely required for some of the rides but young and not-so-young thoroughly enjoyed scaling the heights of terror!

The Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival began on Friday the 20th and 100,000 people attended during the course of the three days. The organisation of the Festival was superb. Among those performing were Johnny McEvoy, Tommy Fleming, James Kilbane, Eileen Ivers and Cleveland Band “Brace yourself Bridget” with lead singer Martin Kelly from Pollagh. The Pipe Band played a number of times each day (in hot sunshine!) and was indeed an attraction at the Festival. We were deeply honoured to discover that Achill natives from other parts of America had also travelled long distances to see the Pipe Band perform at the Festival and welcome us all to America.

On the eve of our departure, the Cleveland Welcoming Committee presented the Pipe Band with a generous donation. This generosity has enabled the Pipe band to donate €4000 to the Dookinella Church Roof Fund. We are deeply grateful to the Welcoming Committee for their fundraising efforts and to all in Cleveland for ensuring the whole group enjoyed  the Trip of a Lifetime.

We wish to thank the people of Newport who were so helpful on the night of the coach fire and also those who telephoned the next day. Thank you to an Garda Síochána and Councillor Micheál McNamara for their help in securing the Emergency Passport. A word of thanks to all in our own community who helped with fundraising for the trip. Finally we wish to thank most sincerely those who travelled with us and whose company ensured “there was never a dull moment”!

News archive: July 2007

Schedule:

October Bank Holiday. The band will travel to Preston for the annual Preston reunion.