The Dooagh Pipe Band

The Dooagh Pipe Band: A Proud Tradition on Achill Island

 The Dooagh Pipe Band from Achill Island, County Mayo, has been a beloved part of the community since it was formed in 1947. Their first performance was at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Achill that year, and they have been a symbol of local pride ever since.

 An image of one of the first performances of Dooagh Pipe Band on Achill Island (1940’s/1950’s).

Early Days of Bagpiping on Achill

Bagpiping on Achill Island has a history that goes back even further. Mrs. Emily Waddell started 'Scoil Acla,' a school where bagpipes were taught along with other traditional Irish instruments. The first Achill pipers were Anthony McNamara, Peter Roland (Keel), and Sonny English, who played in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1913. This was the beginning of a long tradition of piping on the island.

St. Patrick’s Pipe Band from Dooagh leading a parade  followed by the Dooagh Fife and Drum Band (approx. 1947) also carrying a flag which is still carried today.

 The Dooagh Pipe Band

Many well-known Achill families have been part of the band over the years, including the McNamara’s, O’Malley’s, Gielty’s, Vesey’s, Cafferkey’s, Lavelle’s, Gallagher’s, Dever’s, Fadian’s and more. These families have helped keep the band's traditions alive.

The band members wear traditional Irish outfits, including Saffron kilts, black jackets, long horsehair sporrans, white shirts, green ties, and an emerald green sash with the Irish Tara Brooch. They also wear black hats with silver Irish Harp badges, and their bagpipes often have the Irish tricolours draped over their drones. 

Conall McNamara - Pipe Major of Dooagh Pipe Band and piper with St. Joseph’s Pipe Band, Clondalkin - wearing the Dooagh traditional Irish uniform with the Tara Brooch, tricolour drone draping and silver Irish harp cap badge.

Celebrating 75 Years

In 2022, the Dooagh Pipe Band celebrated its 75th anniversary with a special event as part of the Home to Mayo Festival. They joined forces with the Manchester-based Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band, which was also celebrating its 75th anniversary. The celebration took place on May 29 and was part of the Mayo.ie Home to Mayo Tradfest, a week-long festival featuring traditional Irish music, song, and dance in various locations around Mayo, including Achill Island.

Tony Hennigan from Mayo Manchester said, "We are thrilled to return to Achill to stage this unique event celebrating 150 years of Irish piping in Mayo and Manchester.”.

The original Dooagh Pipe Band bass drum and clothing garments.

A Long History

The history of the Dooagh Pipe Band goes back even further than 75 years. The original band in the village was the Dooagh Fife and Drum Band, formed in 1882. This band played an important role during key moments in Irish history, such as the times of Michael Davitt’s Land League and the fight for Irish independence.

Today, Achill’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration is unique, with five pipe bands marching from early morning to late evening. Despite challenges like emigration, the tradition has continued, with over 150 pipers and drummers taking part.

 Piper Michael McNamara - Over 70 Years of Piping with the Dooagh Pipe Band.

Keeping the Tradition Alive

The Dooagh Pipe Band is a familiar sight at many important events in the west of Ireland and beyond. They perform at weddings, football matches, festivals, and even at the opening of Knock Airport. Their presence at these events shows the community's dedication to preserving their cultural heritage.

As they celebrated their 75th anniversary in 2022, the Dooagh Pipe Band reflected on many years of musical excellence and community spirit, looking forward to many more years of enriching the cultural life of Achill Island.

The Vesey family taking part in the local parades for St. Patrick’s Day on Achill.

A recent image of the band performing on Achill Island.

An image of the band, possibly from the 1980’s/1990’s marching on Achill

The bands latest logo refresh.