The PADI’s Take Caceres by Storm: Irish Piping at the Caceres Irish Fleadh

Earlier this month, the streets of Cáceres, Spain echoed with a sound rarely heard outside Ireland: the full power of Irish pipes and drums. Under the banner of “The PADI’s” – The Pipes and Drums of Ireland, a combined band of pipers and musicians made their way to the Cáceres Irish Fleadh, one of Europe’s best-known festivals of Irish culture.

The group brought together members of Newcastle West & District Pipe Band, St. Joseph’s Pipe Band Clondalkin, City of Limerick Pipe Band, and Batafada Pipe Band Mayo. The trip represented a true all-Ireland collaboration, with players from across the country uniting under one name.

Pipers Andy Byrne & Johnny Hunt mid-high-A.

A Unique Invitation

The band was officially invited to take part in the Fleadh, making them one of only two bagpipe bands featured at the event. The other, Banda de Gaitas Nevaria from Valladolid, carried the proud piping traditions of Spain’s north. Together, the two groups gave audiences a rare chance to hear the Celtic piping traditions of Ireland and Spain side by side.

Newcastle West piper Cian Ó’Seachnasaigh at the ready.

An Irish Sound Abroad

Unlike many pipe bands that mix Scottish and Irish repertoire, The PADI’s made a clear statement: every set they played in Cáceres was 100% Irish. Their program included traditional favourites like:

• O’Neill’s March
• The Dawning of the Day
• Merrily Kissed the Quaker’s Wife
• The Hag at the Churn
• The Ass in the Graveyard

This choice resonated deeply with festival-goers, who came expecting Irish culture and were treated to an authentic soundscape.

More Than Just Pipes

The PADI’s line-up was expanded by five Uilleann pipers, a banjo player, and a host of other traditional Irish musicians. The result was a performance that blended the driving power of the pipe band with the subtlety of Irish traditional music. Marches flowed into jigs, reels mixed with airs, and every tune carried the unmistakable flavour of home.

Irish/American tenor drummer Jessica Hunt pictured with Banda da Gaitas leader.

Carrying the Flag for Ireland

The Cáceres Irish Fleadh is renowned for attracting top talent from across Ireland and beyond, and this year was no exception. For The PADI’s, it was an opportunity to showcase the unique voice of Irish piping on a European stage, and to demonstrate that Ireland’s pipe band scene is both collaborative and creative.

As the band paraded through the historic streets of Cáceres, their sound bouncing off the medieval walls, the message was clear: Irish piping is alive, strong, and ready to share its tradition with the world.

At 1:00am on Saturday night, The PADI’s took to the main festival stage for a special collaboration with the well-known group Polca 4—or Polca Ceathair in Ireland, Polca Quattro to the Spanish audience. Performing alongside such talented musicians was a highlight of the trip, and the band was delighted to share the stage in front of thousands of festival-goers, creating an unforgettable night of Irish music in Cáceres.