Irish Army Fifes and Drums?

[the drummie]

Hi all

As a keen historian I am researching about the subject of military music. I am familiar that the Irish Defence forces have Pipes and also Brass bands but in my research I also heard that at the very beginning of the Irish Army there was a Fifes and Drums unit, which was disbanded some years later??

Can anyone help?

Time period is about 1920s – 1940s

[B Inman]

http://www.military.ie/dfhq/archives/contact.htm

[the drummie]

thanks ill try that

by the way in the Irish Army does each Battalion have Pipes or is less than that??

[DeV]

Some have Pipes & Drums bands, in addition to other duties. The Air Corps and Naval Service do as well.

http://www.military.ie/army/specialists/music/pipes.htm

[the drummie]

I know that you dont have a strict Regimental system so i understand there would not be units with a band that stays with the Battalion ....or am i wrong?

[DeV]

The pipe bands are part of the units. There is also the following full time bands:

No 1 Band
Band of Southern Brigade
Band of Western Brigade