I had the incredible fortune to be in Ireland over St. Patrick’s Day, where my Fife and Drum Corps played in the Galway St. Patrick’s Day parade, and I had the pleasure of sitting in on some VERY crowded sessions for three nights. After that, about half our group (11 of us in total, wives included) headed down to Doolin for three days. The faeries were smiling on us, as the day after we arrived in Doolin, we heard they were having their own St. Patrick’s Day parade (on Sunday). We had just enough of our Corps with us (3 fifes, 3 snares and 1 bass drum) to offer our services, to which they replied “That would be great craic!”.
Long story short, we led the parade, just behind a cursing St. Patrick impersonator, and we have the video to prove it. Here we are playing as we pass the famous Gus O’Connor’s pub in downtown Doolin. Enjoy!
http://www.kentishguards.org/images/KG_Doolin_parade.avi
I’d be happy to share more of our experiences in Ireland if we have enough willing eyes and ears …
-Chris