St Patrick's Brass and Reed Band take to the Streets but tensions later lead to closures

Brass instruments were purchased from Hawkes & Co. of London in 1911 at a cost of £60 (plus £20 for drums) and members were taught to play them by T.Glennon of Nuns Island.

The new St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed band had its first outing in the summer and by July it had raised the money for the instruments through subscriptions, donations and a grant of £25 from the Urban Council (it is interesting to note that Peter Rabbitt had been elected to the Galway U.D.C. in 1911). In November 1911 the Band held a concert in The Town Hall to raise funds for a new uniform. The band made a profit of £25 from the concert and it was decided to hold a second concert to make up £50 which was the cost of the Uniforms. A newly equipped and uniformed St. Patricks Brass and Reed band took part in the St. Patricks parade in 1912 and all the local papers congratulated them on their achievements and musical accomplishment in so short a time since 1911. The band continued to flourish for a number of years playing for events, concerts and recitals throughout Galway.

The band was on the town to celebrate the passing of the Home Rule Bill in 1914. Many members joined the British forces when World War 1 broke out and the Band played for recruitment drives and paraded troops to the railway station on a number of occasions. Members of the band were killed during that War, including John Walsh from Forster Street. 

The Band paraded every year on St. Patrick’s Day from 1903 including 1916 but was prevented from playing by the authorities in 1917 because of a clampdown on public gatherings following the Easter Rising in Galway. Joe Howley, Leader of Oranmore Volunteers (nephew of Peter Rabbitt) was arrested in Rabbitts Bar, Forster Street following the Rising and imprisoned in England. 

As World War 1 ended, with escalating tensions in Galway and an increase in violence (some directed against the Bandhall), St. Patrick’s Band was forced to close for the duration of the War of Independence. 1920 was particularly violent with many deaths including that of Fr. Griffin, Seamus Quirke and Joe Howley who was shot dead in Dublin.