Leading the Parade at the Hazel Grove Carnival Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band proud to support local charity fundraiser
Performing under the Fianna Pádraig Banner
 
In those early years, St. John's Dancers and St. John's Pipe Band, although separate groups in their own right, often performed together under the Fianna Pádraig banner.

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Pipers and Dancers posing for a photo with Fr. Kehoe under the Fianna Pádraig banner
©Tom Parr. Used with kind permission
(www.kevparr.com)

 

 

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A page on the Band and Dancers
from St. John's Parish Magazine
Special thanks to Betty and Pat O'Hara for the photo
The Pipe Band and Dancers performed both separately and together during those early years, creating bonds which remain to this day.

The following extract from the March-April 1953 St. John's Parish Magazine gives us an insight into activities under the Fianna Pádraig banner and, in particular, the importance of the Whit Walks at the time.

 

"Piping is not everyone's kettle of fish, but it can be a very attractive commodity at times. All our noise has not been confined to Wythenshawe. Cheadle, Stockport, Earlestown, Warrington and Old Trafford have welcomed us so far this year, and future months will find us in Wales, Merseyside, and in various parts of Manchester and naturally in the pipers' gala day, the Manchester Whit Procession.

The Irish dancers have contributed their quota to the attraction of the pipe band. At Old Trafford football ground they looked like dwarfs against the background of the huge stands but the large crowd that had come to watch footwork of one kind were not slow to applaud some footwork of another kind."

 

 

image_106_3

Father Kehoe and members of the Band and Dancers
Special thanks to Betty and Pat O'Hara for the photo
The Band and Dancers united under the Fianna Pádraig Banner around Fr. Kehoe.

In this photo, we have recognised Margaret O'Neal (née Carroll), Mike Barker, Brian Lee, Colette Doyle (née Richardson), Joan Lennon (née Maguire), Betty O'Hara (née Hussey)


How many more can you recognise?

 

 

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©Tom Parr. Used with kind permission
(www.kevparr.com)
The Band and Dancers marching at the Whit Walks in Manchester, mid to late fifties.

In this photo, we have recognised Bernard Brown on the mace, Jim O'Connor, Joe Gibbons, Brian Lee, Terry Forde and Jimmy Clarke, together with Fr. Kehoe walking alongside


How many more can you recognise?

 

 

 

image_106_5

The Dancers marching behind the Band at the Whit Walks
in Manchester, mid to late fifties
©Tom Parr. Used with kind permission
(www.kevparr.com)
The Dancers marching behind the Band at the Whit Walks in Manchester, mid to late fifties.

In this photo, we have recognised Margaret O'Neal.


How many more can you recognise?


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