Inbhear Mór Marchers

A Brief History

The Inbhear Mór Marchers from Arklow, Co.Wicklow were originally established in 1992 by a group of local musicians and parents who recognised the need for another youth organisation in the town.  Continuing the already very strong marching band tradition in Arklow, the group decided to form another brass & reed marching band and so in 1992 the Inbhear Mór Marchers were born. 

The band spent almost two years in training and fundraising before making their first public appearance which took place on the 1st July 1994 when the new band paraded through Arklow town in their blue tracksuits accompanied by the Artane Boys Band.

Over the year that followed the band grew in size and later in 1995 got their first taste of the famous "field shows".  The band put together their first ever field show and participated in the IMBA competition in Clonmel, Co.Tipperary. This was to be the beginning of a long and exciting journey.

Over the course of the months that followed the band educated themselves further in the art of field shows and in 1996 presented their 2nd show which featured music from The Lion King.  This band performed at all IMBA competitions this year and earned a 2nd place in the national finals. 

Throughout the winter/spring months that followed the band was growing in size and the band were now preparing their 1997 show which featured another selection of Disney music from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.  The summer of '97 also saw the changeover of instrumentation as the band switched to the drum corps style using all G pitched forward facing brass instruments.  In September '97 the band earned 2nd place in the Championship class.

In 1998 the performed the full season as a drum corps style unit with their show featuring music from composers Danny Elfman & Mussorgsky/Ravel.  The band made their first international appearance when they performed at the DCUK show in Sheffield, England.  Later in 1998, the band won their first title, when they were crowned All Ireland Champions in the Championship class at the IMBA National Finals in Harolds Cross, Dublin.

In 1999 the band joined forces with the Golden Eagles Drum Corps from Tallaght, Co.Dublin to form what was the biggest drum corps in Ireland.  With over 65 members the band enetered the premier class placing 4th in the National Finals that September.  Playing music from Batman, Edward Scissorhands, 42nd Street & When a Man Loves a Woman, this was a very memorable and enjoyable year for all involved.  Also in 1999 the band made their next international visit, this time they performed at a 4 day festival in Arklows Twin Town of Chatedaun in France. 

Sadly 1999 saw the end of an era when the this generation of Inbhear Mór dispanded.  With most members leaving, the band were forced off the road and back to the rebuilding stages. 

Over the course of the winter of 1999/2000, the band started to rebuild under new director Mary Kirwan and Musical Director Óisin Molloy.  In the first year the band struggled immensly with numbers as low as 6.  The staff and members of the band continued to work hard and eventually the new band were recognised as the brass section performed in the Arklow Music Festival in 2002.  These were indeed humble beginnings for a band whom had in recent years earned such recognition for their "big band" style.  The young kids involved at the time showed great spirit and set the pace for a great furture for the band. 

All the hard work and efforts of staff and members finally paid off on New Years Day 2003, when the all new 18 piece band made their public debut as a guest act to the Inbhear Mór Jazz Band at a charity fundraiser in Arklow.

After the New Years Day performance, the public interest started to grow again.  A major recruitment program went under way which proved to be a huge success.  

In the summer 2003 the band which now had approx 30 members, made a very welcomed return to the parading as they participate in parades and festivals across Ireland including performances at the Arklow SeaBreeze Festival & the Community Games National Finals which took place in Mosney, Co.Meath.  Later this summer the band made a welcome return to the IMBA circuit when they performed an interval act at the Mullingar competition.  After 3 years away from the IMBA the band were delighted to make this appearance and straight away started planning their full return to competition which was to take place the following year. 

2004: Recruitment and rehearsals continued and the new generation of marchers were educated in the art of field shows as they prepared their first show entitled "The magic of the Musicals" which featured music from Riverdance, The Sound of Music & Oliver.  The band placed 4th this season  and were delighted to have IMM back on the competition circuit.  The band also performed at various parades and festivals throughout the country including their first of what was to become an annual visit to the Rose of Tralee festival in Co.Kerry.

In 2005 the numbers were up to approx 35.  The band participated in the All Ireland Parade Championships in Belturbet, Co.Cavan where they earnned 3rd place.  In the summer of 2005 the band produced their new field show featuring music from "The Wizard of Oz".  After a very successful season of competition in Irleland, the band placed 2nd in the Div II class at the All Ireland Finals. 2005 also saw the band return to the UK as they travelled to Midsomer Norton and Bath where they enjoyed a 3 day tur which included 2nd place at the Open European Band Championships.  Throughout the winter months the band participated in the IMBA's Individuals & Ensemble Competitions where they earned many wins in various captions.  Over the Christmas Holiday period the band also enjoyed a series of Christmas Concerts with the Phoenix Youth Band from Tallaght, Dublin.

2006 was another busy year for the band as they performed in I&E competitions through the offf season months as well as various parades & festivals throughout Ireland during the Spring and Summer.  The 2006 field show "Moulin Rouge" featured music from teh hit musical including Nature Boy, One Day I'll Fly Away Rythym of the Night and a very memorable French Can Can.  In September 2006 the band hosted the All Ireland Championships in Pearse Park, Arklow where they band placed 2nd in the Div II class. The highlight of 2006 was when the band enjoyed a 4 day tour to Paris, France where they stayed at Disneyland Resort and performed in the Disney Parade. 

2007 marked the 15^th Birthday of the Inbhear Mór Marchers and it also proved to be the bands most successful season in their 15 year history.  With their brand new uniforms and their 2007 field featuring music from the Opera "CARMEN", the band completed a full undefeated season in the Division 2 Class, winning both the All Ireland Parade Championships in April & the All Ireland (Field Show) Championships in September.  Following on from this success the band enjoyed a 4 day tour to Holland where they became the first Irish band ever to perform at the Drum Corps Europe Championships in Rotterdam, Holland. 

So far 2008 has proved to be another successfull year for the band.  After many wins at the IMBA I&E contests throughout the winter and spring and two awards for Best Bands on Parade on St.Patricks Day, the band are now in full swing with summer IMBA competitions.  The 2008 show is entitled "All That Jazz" and features Jazz & Swing Music from Benny Goodmann, Duke Ellington & Ray Charles.  So far the 42 piece band have placed first at the Mullingar contest and are now preparing for the next contest which takes place in Clonmel, Co.Tipperary on July 27th.  The band will then take holidays before returning for the Rose of Tralee festival in August and then onto the second half of the competition season with planned events in Dublin & the All Irelands which will once again be held in Arklow.  The band have also recently announced a trip to the USA in 2009. 

So that's our past 16 years in a nutshell, hope you enjoyed the read and we look forward to your continued support for the future.