In May, 1936, a few members of the Garda ( Military ) Band travelled to Tralee, Co. Kerry, to take part in a céilí. ( folk dance presentation )This group met with great success, and, in a very short time thereafter, a formal céilí band was organised at Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin. This band became known as the Dublin Metropolitan Garda Céilidhe ( old spelling of word céilí ) Band.

My late father, Francis, joined this band in August of that year, primarily, as a fiddle ( violin ) player. Superintendent Charles O'Donnell-Sweeney, B.Mus., began the task of collecting and arranging Irish traditional dance tunes for, eventually, a thirty six piece band. During the summer months the band played on the bandstands in the Phoenix Park, St. Stephen's Green, Blackrock Park, Dún Laoghaire Pier, Dalkey Park ( all these venues are in the Dublin area ) and at the promenade, Bray, Co. Wicklow. I can remember travelling with my father and his band collegues to these venues. The band were as colourful as their repertoire of 257 traditional tunes. Many members of the Garda Céilí Band were accomplished multi-instrument musicians. In addition to being a violinist, my father played Flute and Cornet.

Sergeant Joachim Moloney was appointed bandmaster in 1949, shortly after the untimely death of O'Donnell-Sweeney. The band then entered a new era. During the 1950's Radio Éireann ( the Irish National radio station ) featured them in a new radio series "Take the Floor" hosted by 'Din Joe' Fitzgibbon. The Rory O'Connor Dancers led by Rory himself "took the floor" to the music of the Garda Céilí Band.

The band were no newcomers to recording studios. As early as 1937, HMV/EMI engineers visited Dublin, in April of that year, to record the band on 78rpm ( commercial ) discs. At the height of the band's success, their range of instruments included double bass,clarinets,piccolos,flutes,oboe,drums and piano. Solos were frequently played on piano ( by O'Donnell-Sweeney ) during sets ( 'sets' generally consisted of a group of three tunes played consecutively without a break ) and then joined in counter-harmony for the body of tunes. Occasionally, during their public performances, the band were joined by non-Garda solo players, perhaps the most famous of whom was Uilleann ( Irish elbow-bellows union pipes ) piper Leo Rowsome.

( Since the article was published I was informed by Eddie Furey, of "The Furey Brothers", that his father, Ted, also played Uilleann Pipe solos with the band )

Some of the band's original recordings are available at the Irish Traditional Music Archive ( ITMA ) in Merrion Square, Dublin.( see LINKS Page for connecting to ITMA.) I believe that the Garda Céilí Band did much to advance the large scale revival of our traditional music. I should like to thank the many people who assisted me in compiling my notes for this article, Sgt. John Duffy, Garda Museum, and his assistant, Pauline Duffy. And finally to retired Garda John Mallon, aged 92, who was a Clarinetist and librarian with the Garda Bands.

( I remember John with great affection and admiration. I applaude him for his wonderful recall, his forebearance with my many questions, requests for information and for the many amusing anecdotes shared in his generous company. )

To the many who had so well served their uniform, country and culture, including my father, Sílim nach g-cloisfhimíd a g-cuidse chéoil arís. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam, agus Solas na Bhfhlaithais i g-cónaí oraibh go léir. ( Irish Language translation = I believe we will not hear their style of music again. My their souls rest on the right hand side of God and may the light of Heaven always shine upon them.)