St Roch’s are heading to Croke Park

AN IRISH VOICE EXCLUSIVE

A FANTASTIC year of celebration and new activity has followed St Roch’s Marching Band (above) since they were crowned All-Ireland Champions at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉiréann in Wexford, but they will hit new heights next month after being invited to perform in front of a capacity crowd at Croke Park.

St Roch’s were invited by Uachtarán of the GAA, Jarlath Burns in recognition of their landmark achievement, and will showcase their talents to the crowd at an All-Ireland Football Championship semi-final in July.

World of opportunity

Reacting to the invitation, St Roch’s PRO and member of the marching band, LJ Sexton, spoke about the world of opportunity which has opened up for St Roch's since they claimed their title.

“As All-Ireland Marching Band Champions, this year has brought incredibleopportunities to our door, including leading the St Patrick’s Day parade in both Glasgow and London,” she told The Irish Voice. “But being asked to perform at Croke Park on July 13 for the All-Ireland semi-final is above and beyond all of our expectations. We are still pinching ourselves if I’m honest and can’t wait to get to Dublin.

“This is a special year for us and for Glasgow as the city celebrates its 850th anniversary honouring a rich history, diverse community, its strengths and aspirations. Of course, the Irish played a pivotal role in building Glasgow, the roads, bridges, canals, railways and ports, and that’s something we will never forget and always be proud of.”

Recognition

This tremendous accolade for St Roch’s was also celebrated by Irish Consul General to Scotland, Jerry O’Donovan, who spoke of the recognition it gives for the quality of Irish music in Scotland and the great efforts taken by those within the music community to ensure it thrives.

“I am delighted that the St Roch’s Marching Band have been asked to perform during half-time at next month’s All-Ireland Football Semi-Final in the 82,000 seat headquarters of the GAA, Croke Park,” he said. “It is a huge honour for any group to perform at this very special venue, and for a group outside of Ireland to be asked is a particularly

special achievement.

“This invitation from GAA headquarters is a testament that the work of St Roch’s—and more broadly Comhaltas in Scotland—have carried out in promoting Irish music and culture in Scotland. This performance speaks to the strong community links between Scotland and Ireland which continue to go from strength to strength. I wish the band the very best and look forward to tuning in next month.”

Ties that bind

With the city of Glasgow celebrating its 850th anniversary, Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, reflected on the importance of a band from the city’s Irish community being honoured so highly in Ireland.

“As Glasgow proudly marks its 850th anniversary, it is fantastic to see St Roch’s Marching Band invited to perform at the All-Ireland semi-final in Croke Park,” she said. “This moment not only celebrates the band’s exceptional talent but also honours and reflects the deep and enduring ties between Glasgow and Ireland. The Irish diaspora has shaped so much of our city’s cultural heritage, and this performance is a powerful tribute to that shared history. On behalf of the people of Glasgow, I wish the band every success on this prestigious stage.”

Those links were also recognised by Katy McNeil, Head of Scottish Government Office in Ireland, who told The Irish Voice: “The Scottish Government Office in Ireland was thrilled to hear of St Roch’s Marching Band’s success in the All-Ireland Fleadh last year.

“It is an honour for St Roch’s, for Glasgow and for Scotland, that they are the first band from outside Ireland to play at the iconic Croke Park for the GAA All Ireland Senior Football semi-final, and is a fitting way to celebrate the close cultural links between Scotland and Ireland, and the Glasgow 850 celebrations. We look forward to welcoming the band to Dublin in July.”

Cultural connections

With such significant progress being made by Scotland GAA in recent years and with a strong commitment to the global Irish diaspora from the Association in Ireland, the invitation underscores the vibrant cultural links that exist between Scotland and Ireland, and the important position the GAA has within that.

“The origins of the Frank McArdle inspired St Roch’s Ceilidh Band go back to the Irish Minstrel’s branch to the 1970s and have been a rich part of the history of Irish music and culture in the city,” Peter Mossey President of Scotland GAA, said. “Their emergence as a major force in the marching bands scene is remarkable and led to an amazing victory in their inaugural competition at the Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉiréann which makes them, as All Ireland Champions, so worthy of this honour. The GAA in Scotland would like to congratulate them and we are very proud of this Irish cultural partnership.”

Having worn the title of All-Ireland Champions so well, and living up to the responsibilities of such an achievement, St Roch’s have been more active than ever, travelling to take part in community celebrations wherever possible and Paddy Callaghan of Comhaltas—also a member of the marching band—looked back on a remarkable year, which will be crowned by their appearance at Croke Park.

“This past year the journey with the marching band has been absolutely incredible,” he said. “None of us could have ever imagined where it would have taken us, so many highs, but being invited to perform at Croke Park for a men’s senior football semi-final may just be the biggest high of all.”