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By default the extended history is on this page, to access the concise history,
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The Early Years and more! As mentioned earlier the Band was established in 1826 and in support of this date, reference is made to an old shield on which the band name and year of its foundation were inscribed. This was carried on all occasions and prominently displayed when giving a concert. Tradition also plays its part in establishing its age. A Mr Corcoran (Musty) who died in 1932 is quoted as saying some years before his death, that the band was over a hundred years old. And, a Mr English (Barn Lodge) who was 83 years old when he died in 1964 was also a source of information of the early days as he was a long-time member of the band. We believe that the band had some connection with a parish Temperance Society as the late Canon Kevin Brady when he was Parish Priest of Blanchardstown in his readings came across the band playing at a Temperance tea-party in the Parish around 1838. The earliest meeting place remembered, was in what was known as "The Old Society Rooms", an old thatched cottage which stood where the old Garda Station (next to Ryans garage) is today. In 1903, this cottage was destroyed by fire, some of the instruments were saved, but all the records and papers were lost. The members took the instruments to their homes after this, and weekly rehearsals were held at the village pump on the Car Road at the back of St. Brigid's cottages on Sunday mornings, followed by a march around the village. Mr P. Cruise, who worked in Rathbourne's Candle Factory is mentioned as being the mainstay of the band at this time. In 1917, Carroll's Hall was used, and later the local Court House which was blown up in 1922. Once again, the band suffered the loss of most of its instruments for which they were afterwards compensated with the sum of £80. The Bass Drum was found near the Tolka River after this explosion. In 1924, the band purchased some instruments from the Wellington Quay Workingman's Club and we still have a Euphonium in playable condition, along with a Big Bass Drum. Determined to have their own rehearsal hall in 1923, a house-to-house collection was organised in the Parish. Indicative of the disturbed conditions existing at the time is a note made by one of the collectors that "the Rector at Mount Hybla was so relieved at hearing it was not a hold up, he gave us two pounds". The names of Lord Holmpatrick, the Hon T.K. Laidlaw, Lord Moyne and Lord Iveagh also appear in the subscription lists. With the proceeds of this collection an old disused Army Hut was bought for £15 and re-erected on the Mill Road. This Band room constructed of corrugated iron with a wooden interior accommodated us very well until we were forced to move out, due to the sale of the land, in 1979. After nearly 60 years as a place of music making and friendship the old Band room was sold in 1981 for £200 to be used as a shed for livestock. We now rehearse in a modern Band room in the Priests Field adjacent to the Blanchardstown Church, which we built in 1980 following a successful Buy-a-Brick campaign.
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