History of the Tyrone Pipers
The County Tyrone Pipe Band was founded in New York City during the
depression of the 1930' s by immigrants from County Tyrone in the
northeast section of Ireland. The band is known for having maintained its Gaelic dignity and character through performance and competition of Irish music
on the bagpipes and drums.
The band was started in 1933 when the County Tyrone Society established its own
pipe band to march up Fifth Avenue each year in the St. Patrick's Day
Parade. Thomas McSwiggan became band committee chairman and
then, for 38 years, Pipe Major .
The band's early rehearsals were held in the low-ceilinged basement of
Donovan's
Hall, later the site of the old New York Coliseum at Columbus Circle. John T. Sabiston
was the instructor for the Irish-born men, none of whom had real experience with
the pipes, which had once been outlawed in their native land.
Popularity and success came quickly. First place in 1935 at the United Irish
Counties Feis, performance on a radio show, and a well-received record album in
1939.
During the 1950's, the band strove for further recognition, particularly at
Highland piping competitions. Within a short time, the Tyrone pipers were
established champions, ranking among the top pipe bands in the United States.
Pipe Major McSwiggan retired in 1971, and was succeeded, in order, by Ed
McKenna, Tom O'Connor, Sr., Hugh McGuigan, Tom Downes, James Lundt, John
McManus, Thomas Hoines, James Nagy Alex Hamilton, Robert Lynch, Peter Galvin and
Joseph Lowry.
Of course, obvious changes have taken place in the band over 70 years. Reflective of the times, the band now boasts several women musicians as well as some
members who are not of Irish lineage. Many quality Irish pipe bands
are now located in the metropolitan area, and throughout the United States.
Many of them contain pipers and
drummers - even a few pipe majors - trained by Tyrone.
The Tyrone Pipers maintains active status in the Eastern United States Pipe Band
Association and in the Irish Pipe Band Association in Ireland. It maintains its
original signature saffron kilt, as well as a band-designed, registered
tartan of green, saffron and azure blue.
The band, which is the oldest Irish pipers' band in continuous existence in
North America, has also maintained the essentials instilled by its founders: a proudly expressed Irish identity and the goals of musical
excellence. These are qualities that will carry the band prominently through the
new century as they did the old.
It was a Friday afternoon in Manhattan and the late winter breeze was brisk. The date was March 17, 1935. Nervously, a small group on a Fifth Avenue side street checked their instruments and made last minute inspections in store window reflections. Out on the Avenue itself, contingent after contingent pushed its way toward the Cathedral and beyond.
The air was chill, but the crowd was warm with the excitement of the day. Soon the waiting and false alarms were over. The big moment had come. With a command from the Pipe Major on the right, the instruments were brought into position. In another moment, the Tyrone Pipers Band, resplendent in saffron kilts and green jackets, came into the sunlight of March 17th, skirling and swirling to the surprised delight of the millions of onlookers. On a day steeped in Irish and American tradition, a new one had been born, with the debut of what would become known as the premier Irish pipe band in the United States.
It is now seventy one years since that day; St. Patrick’s Day 2005 will mark the 71st time the Tyrone Pipers have stepped up the Big Street. Throughout those years the Tyrone Pipers have striven to bring to parades and all manner of celebrations and activities the very best in traditional Irish music. The County Tyrone Pipe Band is still going strong, having many years since achieved the distinction of remaining in continued active existence longer than any other Irish pipe band. May they march proud for at least another seventy years!
Beannachtaí
na Feilé
Pádraig
Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
March 17, 2005
