The St. Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band
The St. Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band
Founded in 1910, the St. Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band from Dublin boasts a rich and resilient history. The band was born from a meeting organised by the St. Laurence O'Toole Gaelic Athletic Association Club at the CBS school on Seville Place, Dublin. The driving force behind its creation was Frank Cahill, a notable Dublin Corporation Alderman and later a member of Dáil Éireann. Among the attendees were prominent figures like Pádraig Pearse, Thomas Clarke, Sean McDermott, Arthur Griffith, Douglas Hyde, and Seán O'Casey.
Seán O'Casey served as the first Secretary, while Thomas Clarke was the first President. O'Casey also performed in plays by the St. Laurence O'Toole Dramatic Society to raise funds for the band. Michael Colgan became the first Pipe
The earliest surviving picture of the band from Bodenstown in 1912, 2 years after it was formed. Tom Clarke was the Chief Marshal at the Bodenstown Ceremony each year and as he was President of the St. Laurence O'Toole Pipers' Band, the band for years led the parade from Sallins to Wolfe Tone's grave at Bodenstown.
Front Row L to R: Johnny O Rourke, Mick Lawless, (Boy on drum) Sam McGarvey, Mick Clerkin (Bass Drummer), Freddie Lynch.
Second Row: John Fitzharris, Pipe Major Mick Colgan (Alderman), Jack Fay, Willie Ryan, Larry Mackey, Jimmy Moore, Kevin P. O'Meara (with lunch bag)
Back Row: Paddy McDonnell, Jimmy Redmond, Liam Hampson (Banner), Tom Clarke, John McDonald and Peter Strange.
Trials and Triumphs Through the Years
The band's early years were tumultuous. During the Irish War of Independence (1918-1922), their headquarters at 100 Seville Place were frequently attacked by the military. In the 1913 Great Strike, the band was assaulted by mounted police while leading a protest rally, resulting in injuries and damaged instruments.
Despite these challenges, the band played a significant role in the funerals of nationalist leaders such as Thomas Ashe, O'Donovan Rossa, Arthur Griffith, and Michael Collins. Post-Independence, the band shed its political ties, focusing on music and
St. Laurence O’Toole Pipers Band, Aonach Tailteann, 1924.
Pioneering Broadcasts and International Tours
In the 1930s, the St. Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band made history as the first band to broadcast from Radio Éireann and one of the first to broadcast in Scotland. They also became the first Irish band to tour England and America. The band joined the Irish Pipe Band Association (IPBA) upon its formation and has been a cornerstone of Irish piping and drumming ever
St. Laurence O’Toole Pipers Band - 1920’s in Dublin.
Resurgence and Glory in the Mid-20th Century
The band experienced a resurgence in the 1950s, winning the All-Ireland Senior Championships in 1958 and achieving success in Scotland. However, the 1960s brought challenges, including a decline in membership and the resignation of Pipe Major John Duggan in 1967. The band was on the brink of collapse, but a dedicated few, including Charlie Stokes, Seamus Casey, Tommy Tully, and Peter O'Rourke, worked tirelessly to revive it.
A New Era of Success
The band's fortunes turned around in the 1970s, largely due to the efforts of Tommy Tully and the fresh talent he brought in, including his sons Terry and Patrick. By 1974, the band had won the All-Ireland in Grade 3 and moved up to Grade 2. Under Terry Tully’s leadership, the band regained prominence, culminating in multiple victories throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including a historic second-place finish at the World Championships in 1987.
Amalgamation with St. Joseph's Pipe Band
In the late 1990s, both the St. Laurence O'Toole and St. Joseph's Pipe Band from Clondalkin, County Dublin, were competing in Grade 1. Facing intense competition, the two bands decided to amalgamate to strengthen their chances. They rotated between the names St. Joseph’s and St. Laurence O’Toole, sharing players and resources. Eventually, St. Laurence O'Toole branched off independently, while St. Joseph's Clondalkin ceased competing for several years. During this period, St. Laurence O'Toole also maintained a Grade 3 band for about a decade. Many of these Grade 3 players later joined the revived St. Joseph's Pipe Band in Clondalkin.
The New Millennium and Beyond
Entering the 2000s, the band continued to excel. In 2006, their drum corps won the World Drumming Championships, and in 2008, they were crowned Grade One Champion of Champions, a first for any non-RSPBA band. The band continued to achieve remarkable success, including a win at the Grade One World Championship in
Pipe Major Terry Tully (left) and Drum Sergeant Stephen Creighton (right) after winning the World Championships in 2010.
Recent Achievements
In recent years, the St. Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band has maintained its high standards. The band won the European and All-Ireland Championships in 2010 and continues to be a formidable competitor in international contests. The 2019 season saw them winning major championships and securing high placements at the World Championships. The band is having a successful year so far as of writing this (2024), winning the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships and winning the UK Championships in Bangor.
Continuing the Legacy
Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the band has shown resilience. Moving their base to St. Mary’s Hospital Campus in Phoenix Park in 2023 marked a new chapter. Their repertoire includes traditional Irish tunes and compositions by members, influencing the global pipe band community.
From humble beginnings in a small hall in Dublin City Centre, the St. Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band has grown into an iconic institution in the piping world, celebrating over a century of musical excellence and cultural
The band pictured at Áras an Uachtaráin (Home of the President of Ireland), 2024.
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