Check out Sean Molloy’s insightful article about Achill’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in Irish Central published today.
One by one, pipers and drummers shake off the chill and step out in full regalia, drawn by a tradition that has pulsed in this rugged place since 1882.
It is St. Patrick’s Day in Achill—where heritage, music, and community come together in one breathtaking celebration.
The origins of this event can be traced back to 1882 when a determined local priest urged his congregation to properly honour the 1,550th anniversary of St. Patrick’s landing in Ireland. In response, a small group of men formed a fife and drum band, notably featuring a homemade bass drum.
At dawn on that first St. Patrick’s morning, they set out from Molly’s house in Dooagh—the island’s most westerly dwelling at the time—marching five miles to Dookinella Church for Mass.
It was a humble beginning, but one that ignited a tradition that continues to burn brightly today.
Read more at the link below:
Capture the spirit of the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day parade with photos and videos! Whether they’re from me or any other source on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, or elsewhere, share them with the hashtag #dooaghpipeband.
History is recorded on St. Patrick’s Day in Mayo | Connaught Telegraph (con-telegraph.ie)
A notable chapter of history has been written on St. Patrick’s Day in Mayo.
John McNamara Denis marked his 50th year of sounding the Revéille this morning at 6 a.m. in the village of Dooagh on Achill Island.
Continue reading at the link
Hey there, you lucky leprechauns! It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day, the best day of the year for anyone who loves Ireland and all things green.
The St. Patrick’s Day parade will take place throughout lower Achill on March 17th, 2023. The parade will be starting bright and early at 8:00 am from Molly’s (link is to the map location) in Keel West and will proceed through Dooagh village to Pollagh Church, where the band will play before and after mass at 9:00 am. The band will join the other bands and march through Keel and then onto Dookinella Church for midday mass. The band will play before and after mass with the other pipe bands from lower Achill. The band will then march back through Pollagh, Dooagh and Keel West and parade through the whole village, where we will perform some of our favourite tunes. The band will stop off at the pubs along the way back to Molly’s where the parade will end sometime around 5pm (17:00). We invite you all to join us in celebrating with music, dance and craic.
We hope you’re as excited as we are for St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow. If you want to join us in celebrating our Irish heritage and culture with our famous bagpipe tunes.
Another great article about the band and St. Patrick’s Day in Achill after the interruptions due to the pandemic. The link to the article is below the image.
A related article to the one posted in the Mayo News with some new photos of the day. The Irish Times looks at other stories of the exodus of young people and the return for St. Patrick’s Day. Link to the article is below the image.
St Patrick’s Day celebrations highlight the exodus from rural Ireland (irishtimes.com)
Good article in the Mayo News about returning to Ireland to play in the band.
“No matter where you are in the world on Paddy’s Day, your mind is at home. If you can’t be home, you’re picturing the band rehearsing, the day itself. The pride in the band is huge,” he said.
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