The Silver Bands in County Fermanagh are part of the rich history of music associated with County Fermanagh, in the south west of Northern Ireland. Silver bands are also sometimes known as brass bands, the difference being that 'silver' instruments are silver-plated instead of lacquered, which gives them a slightly brighter sound.[1]
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To understand the religious affiliations of bands, one needs a grasp of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. In general terms, the vast majority of bands in County Fermanagh are Protestant and unionist in origin, with one band from a Roman Catholic and nationalist background and one cross-community (though not strictly a "silver") band. Many members of the "Protestant" silver bands have personal affiliations with local Orange Order chapters and often lead them at the annual 12 July Orange walks. Equally, Roman Catholic bands in Fermanagh and beyond have similar ties with gaelic football and/or organisations associated with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and play at comparable occasions.
An encouraging sign of recent years is "Protestant" bands attending more cross-community and cross-border events, such as Saint Patrick's Day celebrations, and "Roman Catholic" bands looking beyond Republic of Ireland events and taking part in Northern Ireland and UK competitions.
The small village of Tempo is appropriately named for its rich musical tradition, and is home to three of the more commonly known Silver Bands in Fermanagh: St Mary's and the (following) Tempo Silver Band and Ballyreagh Silver Band.
Until 2009, St Mary's competed in a different Brass Band League (BBL) from their near neighbours, winning their section in the Irish Band championships in County Cork in autumn 2009. Since this point they have competed in competitions run by the BBL under the flagship of the Northern Ireland Bands Association (NIBA), winning twice. The band went on to win the NIBA's flagship competition in Armagh on 31 October 2009. As of 2010, the St Mary's Silver Band competes in both the Senior Section of the South Of Ireland Band Championships, and Grade 4 of the NIBA and is conducted by Terry Doherty. St Mary's are also preparing a programme of events to celebrate the band's centenary in 2011.
Tempo Silver were also NIBA Grade 4 Champions twice in recent years (1996 and 2000) and are conducted by Davy Moorehead.
The Ballyreagh Silver Band is from just outside the village of Tempo and plays in dark green uniforms. The band currently competes at Grade 4 level in the NIBA. Ballyreagh recently recorded a CD, called Brass Roots, which can be purchased from members of the band. They have had some success in the "Valley" Entertainments contest, held in Fivemiletown, winning the Grade 5/Unafilliated section and best March ("Death or Glory") in the first year of the contest in 2007 and winning Grade 4 in 2010, also winning Best March ("Walkabout").
From near Enniskillen, this small friendly band is growing thanks to a successful primary school link-up. Stephen Crooks, who is also the Principal E♭Tuba player with the Championship band Murley Silver and the WELB Youth Orchestra, now takes the band. The band can boast their own march, written by Stephen for the band, called "Steadily Onward". In October 2010 the band made its debut in the NIBA contest. Competing in the Grade 5 / unaffiliated section they went on to take first prize.
Commonly known as "The Bridge", the Maguiresbridge Silver Band is based in one of the province's oldest villages. The band currently competes in Grade 4 in the NIBA and is conducted by Mr Alasdair Cooke.
The town band of the county's second largest community. They have existing historical records that date back to 1905, the year the band was founded. A rapidly growing band with a current number of 35. They have a huge input in and a good relationship with The Moat Primary School. They are conducted by Mr Richard Johnston. An ex-member of the band, James McCabe now plays Principal Cornet with the Rothwell Temperance Band in Yorkshire, who won the Yorkshire Regionals Championship Section in 2009, beating the likes of the Black Dyke Band and Grimethorpe Colliery Band.
Just inside the county boundary, most of the bandsmen and women come from the nearby village of Trillick, which is in neighbouring County Tyrone. The band is conducted by Mr David Fyffe.
This band serves the north of the county and the area around the nearby village of Irvinestown. They won the Grade 4 section of the NIBA contest in 2002 but have not competed in the last few years.
The Church Hill Silver Band is from the tiny hamlet near Derrygonnelly. It is a well travelled band, having played at the Lord Mayor's Show in London, in Germany, Norway and at the Battle of Flowers in Jersey. The band is conducted by Mr David Fyffe. This is one of the largest bands in Fermanagh, numbering approximately 45 players and lead the Orange Order's Annual Demonstration in Rossnowlagh, County Donegal.
The Murley Silver Band isn't strictly in County Fermanagh, but about one mile inside the neighbouring county of County Tyrone, in the village of Fivemiletown. William Hill is the present conductor, taking over from Keith Anderson in 2008. Murley were NIBA Champions for the first time in their history in 2007 with conductor Keith Anderson and repeated this feat in 2008 with William Hill. The band has also represented Northern Ireland in the European 'B Section' contest in Stavanger, Norway in 2008 and Ostend, Belgium in 2009.