Hello everyone! A radio documentary was launched this month by Athlone Community Radio in Ireland titled "The Bandmaster," highlighting the life of the great Irishman Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore. This tells the story of his birth in 1829 and early life in Ballygar, County Galway and indeed in Athlone and his influence on the later talent of John McCormack.

It also features a series of wonderful performances by the No. 2 Brigade Band of the Irish Army directed by Captain Tom Kelly. This documentary serves to introduce the subject of GIlmore to Irish America and to Ireland after he was almost lost to the sands of time and scant and misdirected research, and reminds us of the brain drain that resulted from the Great Irish Famine and the "brain gain" that contributed to the building of the wonderful nation of America. 

Please enjoy and make any comments you wish here or indeed to my email address at gilmoresband@gmail.com  and, needless to say, share the link among your friends

Regards from Ireland -- Jarlath 

https://www.mixcloud.com/AthloneCommunityRadio/the-bandmaster-music...