0{{current_slide_index}}0{{total_slide_count}}Victuallers’ Band1865Foundation of the band as the Victuallers’ Band (mainly pork butchers). Later renamed St John’s Temperance Band, Workingmen’s Brass and Reed Band, and finally St John’s Brass and Reed Band.202418800{{current_slide_index}}0{{total_slide_count}}late 19th century1880The band was active in the Nationalist cause, attending rallies in Limerick and beyond.
6 May 1888 – Awarded medals by the Patrick Sarsfield Branch of the Irish National League at Limerick Town Hall for Nationalist efforts.186518900{{current_slide_index}}0{{total_slide_count}}late 19th century1890As well as the Nationalist rallies the band was prominent in the city playing at Regattas, promenades and charity and sporting events. The band was closely involved with religious celebrations in their own parish (St John’s and along with other bands in the city they became connected with the Redemptorists.188019200{{current_slide_index}}0{{total_slide_count}}a new beginning1920After the difficulties of the 1890s and several relocations between halls in Hatters Lane, Scotts Lane, St John’s Square, and Crosses Yard, the band entered a period of renewal. In 1913, it commissioned a new Irish-made uniform, and under the leadership of conductors Steve Collins and James Moane, the band flourished with the addition of many young members throughout the 1920s and 1930s.189019260{{current_slide_index}}0{{total_slide_count}}St John’s Working Men’s Band1926In the 1920s The band amicably separated from the Temperance movement to become St John’s Working Men’s Band. With strong community support, £200 worth of new instruments were purchased and displayed in Cannock’s Department Store on O’Connell Street, ensuring the band’s future.Early contributions came from St Mary’s Workingmen’s Club and the Limerick Men’s Association in New York, whose sponsored instruments are still preserved today.192019300{{current_slide_index}}0{{total_slide_count}}St John’s Working Men’s Band1930The band was highly active across Limerick and the county, performing at GAA events such as Munster Finals, parish celebrations, regattas, and St Patrick’s Day parades. Highlights included playing for Cardinal Rossum during the Men’s Holy Confraternity Diamond Jubilee in 1928 and at the Eucharistic Congress in 1932.192619500{{current_slide_index}}0{{total_slide_count}}New Home1950The band, based in St John’s Square and later moving in 1954 to a Nissan Hut behind St John’s Pavilion, found stability in a home that lasted until 2011. Many members who had joined Jim Moane’s classes in the late 1930s became core figures of the band during this period.193019650{{current_slide_index}}0{{total_slide_count}}100 years of St. John Brass and reed band1965The band celebrated its Centenary with nearly 40 active members, a strong mix of long-serving and new musicians. Officers at the time included Rev. Patrick Gallagher (Honorary President), Johnny Clarke (Vice President), Christopher O’Byrne (Chairman), Patrick O’Donoghue (Vice Chairman), and Patrick Malone (Treasurer), supported by a dedicated committee.195019700{{current_slide_index}}0{{total_slide_count}}Band competition1970From their Mulgrave Street band hall, the band played an active role in Limerick’s musical life, supported by fundraising raffles and collections. They performed at parish events, outside the New Fire Station, and became one of the first local bands to join the Limerick International Band Competition as well as the St Patrick’s Day parade.196519800{{current_slide_index}}0{{total_slide_count}}conductor Michael Hinchy1980Under conductor Michael Hinchy, whose influence is still evident in members today, the band entered a period of rebuilding. A long-standing tradition, the annual November Mass for deceased members at St John’s Cathedral, continued during these years, while committees worked toward the goal of securing a permanent band hall.197020000{{current_slide_index}}0{{total_slide_count}}conductor John Doyle2000A new era began under conductor John Doyle, who energized the band with many young members. International trips included Quimper (2003), Prague (2005), Boston (2007), and Liverpool (2009). In 2011 the band moved into its first purpose-built hall on Garryowen Road, finally owning a home of its own.198020240{{current_slide_index}}0{{total_slide_count}}conductor Dr Andrew Jordan2024Despite some setbacks over the years, St John’s Brass and Reed Band is still one of the great marching and musical combinations that enhances the great band tradition that exists in Limerick City. Under the present Conductor Dr. Andrew Jordan the band looks to make a great impact on the musical life of Limerick City and beyond.20001865
