National Heritage Day at Ballina Salmon Festival is of the cornerstones of the event, developed by the festival committee over 25 years ago and attracts up to 40,000 people to the town every year. Wednesday 12th July 2017 is a day to dress up in costume, immerse yourself in the experience and feast your senses on the sights, sounds and smells of a market day 100 years ago, as the past comes to life and the streets are transformed.

There’s a great programme of musical entertainment included in the Heritage Day festivities, and this year the festival will come alive with the sounds of  the renowned Bofield Ceilí Band, the Clew Bay Critters, the  Moffatt School of Irish Dance and Music and  Scoil Rince Uí Chinnéide  School of Irish Dance.

One of the highlights however of the day is set to be the return of the Garda Band.

Back by popular demand, the committee is so thrilled to be able to welcome An Garda Síochana Band back to the streets for another performance. They are a huge festival favourite, always drawing a massive crowd to their base at the Main Stage at the Post Office, and also serve to attract significant numbers of visitors into the town to watch them perform. It is an honour and a delight to have such a prestigious musical unit perform in our town and we cannot wait to see them live once again.

You can see the Garda Band perform at Ballina Post Office on O’Rahilly Street from 2-4pm on National Heritage Day, Wednesday 12th July 2017.

About the Garda Band

The Garda Band was established shortly after the establishment of An Garda Síochána and gave its very first public performance on Dun Laoghaire Pier on Easter Monday, 1923.

Over the years, a a céilí band, pipe band and dance orchestra were formed from within the ranks. After being disbanded in 1965, it was re-established in 1972 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the foundation of An Garda Síochána.

Besides providing music for official Garda functions (such as Graduation Ceremonies at the Garda College), the Garda Band undertakes a heavy community-orientated programme each year performing at schools, festivals and sporting events.

The Garda Band has travelled to many international events, representing Ireland on a number of occasions at police festivals and concerts in Switzerland, Germany and Northern Ireland. We are delighted to be welcoming them back to Ballina Salmon Festiva’s National Heritage Day this year.

Watch some past performances from the Garda Band at Ballina Salmon Festival

Garda Band performing at Ballina Salmon Festival in 2009 

 And in 2007!