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Welcome to the home of the Blanchardstown Brass Band, Dublin, one of the oldest bands in Ireland. The band have been performing at events and venues around Dublin and beyond for 200 years now. After being established in 1826 as the St. Brigid’s Brass & Reed Band, the name was changed in 1971 to reflect the all-brass nature of the band.

We are always on the look out for new players, especially experienced players, who may be interested in joining, just visit the ‘Contact Us’ page for further details or use the contact form below.

The band is committed to fostering an interest in brass music in the youth of the community and we regularly run juvenille beginner classes, again just visit the ‘Contact Us’ page for further details.

Blanchardstown Festival of Brass

Celebrating 200 years of Blanchardstown Brass Band

1826 – 2026

Blanchardstown Festival of Brass will take place on Sunday 24th May 2026 in the grounds of Scoil Bhride NS, Blanchardstown Village and will be a celebration of 200 years of Blanchardstown Brass Band.

2 Stages, 12 Bands & approximately 400 musicians in an afternoon of music & fun from 12 noon to 6pm. Each Band will perform individually during the afternoon, and the highlight will be a Massed Band performance by 400 musicians in the presence of the Mayor of Fingal & invited guests at 3pm.

Alongside the music there will be a display of Band Memorabilia, Uniforms, Old Instruments, Photos & Articles about the Band, and Blanchardstown Tidy Towns group will run several family friendly activities including Face Painting, Fun Photo Gallery, Children Seed Sowing, Guess the weight of the Tuba, Fun Games & much more.

This free event is suitable for all the family and will feature some of the best Brass & Concerts Bands in the country and special guests Band Pres Porthaethwy from Menai Bridge in Wales, who are also celebrating 200 years since the opening of the Menai Suspension Bridge this year.

Participating bands (performance times will be available shortly):

  • Ardee Concert Band
  • Band Pres Porthaethwy / Menai Bridge Brass Band, Wales
  • Blanchardstown Brass Band
  • Drogheda Brass Band
  • Irish National Foresters Band Band, Navan
  • Lourdes Brass Band, Drogheda
  • Lucan Concert Band
  • St. George’s Brass Band, Dublin
  • St. Mary’s Brass & Reed Band, Kingscourt
  • St. Mary’s Brass & Reed Band, Maynooth
  • St. Patrick’s Brass & Reed Balbriggan Town Band

Other activities on the day:

  • Coffee Van and Ice Cream Van in St. Brigid’s Church Car Park
  • Potting Shed Activity – Planting seeds to take home
  • Face Painting
  • Children’s Entertainer – Balloons and interactive activities
  • Brass Band Heritage Tent with old instruments on display and “Guess the Weight” of the tuba competition
  • Photo Area with band members and historic Blanchardstown backdrop
  • Wish Tree / Wishing Wall – Children share hopes for the future of Blanchardstown – Contributions collected for a time capsule
  • Games Area e.g. football challenge (shooting through suspended tyres)
  • Tea & Coffee and Seating/Rest Area in Community Centre
  • Historic Photo Display (up to 1970’s/80’s) in Community Centre
  • Quiet Room in Community Centre

Getting Here

The festival is taking place in the grounds of Scoil Bhríde in Blanchardstown Village. Access to the festival will be via St Brigid’s Church on Church Avenue, just off Blanchardstown Main Street (Eircode D15 YY61). Pedestrian access will also be available from Castleknock Road, just opposite The Bell Pub (Eircode D15 H329).

Please consider walking, cycling or using public transport if possible. Only a limited amount of parking will be available around St Brigid’s Church, and the Parochial House car park will be fully reserved for bands, who need access to bring in instruments and equipment. On-street parking is available in Blanchardstown Village and nearby estates, but please check signage/road markings for any restrictions, and ensure you are not blocking any access.

Plenty of bicycle parking will be available in the grounds of Scoil Bhríde.

Castleknock Train Station, on the Dublin Connolly to Maynooth Commuter line, is a 350 metre walk from the festival. Trains will be operating every 30 minutes throughout the day of the festival.

The following bus routes serve Blanchardstown Village (stops 1813 & 1841), just outside the festival:

  • Dublin Bus 38 from Damastown, Ladyswell, Corduff, Castleknock, City Centre, every 30 mins
  • Dublin Bus 38a from Damastown, Ladyswell, Corduff, City Centre every 30 mins
  • Dublin Bus 39 from Ongar, Clonsilla, Hartstown, City Centre, every 30 mins
  • Go-Ahead 220 from Ballymun, Finglas, Ballycoolin, Ladyswell, Hartstown, every 60 mins
  • Dublin Bus N4 from The Point, Fairview, Whitehall, Finglas, Ballycoolin, Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, every 15 mins

The following bus routes drop off on the Blanchardstown Bypass (stop 7389, Junction 6) which is a 400 metre walk from the festival:

And the following bus route serves Connolly Hospital (stops 7297 & 7298), which is a 600 metre walk from the festival:

Blanchardstown Brass Band 1826 to 2026