...Continued... Mike Spelman, Peter Rabbitt and Paddy Walsh, founders of the
band (originally known as the Forster Street Fife and Drum Band
in 1896) established it as the town band and they had the foresight
to purchase premises and the present site on behalf of St. Patrick's
Band. The band site was twice the size as it is today. Band
property was acquired by the Corporation in the nineteen fifties
for the benefit of Galway. Today some would have the band and
its premises removed to facilitate further developments. This
must not be allowed to happen.
The roll call of those who have contributed to the band is
too long to list. Those who made a contribution, and who are
now deceased (many from the parish), include Michael Mitchell,
Mrs. S. Mitchell, Petey Browne, Mike Browne, Bill Glennon, Paddy
Kavanagh, Paddy Griffin, Paddy Larkin, William Greene, Bill
Jones, Sally Conneely, Paddy Henegan, John Francis King, Mickey
Spelman, Paddy Spelman, Rev. George Quinn, Colie Smyth, G O'Hara,
and John Joyce. Others who have recently died and contributed
include Paddy Francis, Martin King, Paddy Naughton, Miley McGrath,
Niamh Tompkins and the late Patrica Folan.
Patrica Folan became the first female chairperson of St. Patrick's
Band in 1987. She and her committee had the daunting task of
replacing the old band premises with the present Bandroom. It
was officially opened in March 1989.
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