Concert band gets grant

The Ballymore Eustace Concert Band, familiar to many Kilcullen music lovers, has received a grant that will enable it to add bassoon, oboe, French horn, xylophone and timpani to its line up, writes Rose Barrett O'Donoghue.

The grant comes from the Music Capital Scheme, supported by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and managed by Music Network. A total of €181,350 in funding helps with the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups and professional musicians.

Ballymore-Eustace has established itself as one the top concert bands in the country, finishing first in the Intermediate section in 2014 and 4th in the Senior section of South of Ireland Band Championships in 2015. As the Band develops its repertoire and attracts new members its requirement for funding has grown.

"With ambitious plans for 2016, the awarding of the Music Network grant has come at just the right time for the band," said band member Eimear Deegan. Details of its forthcoming 'Movies & Musicals' concert will be released soon with the band's new instruments set to feature.

The band is pictured playing at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ballymore Eustace on Christmas morning, despite appalling weather conditions.