Two Co Armagh accordion bands are set to take to the stage at the prestigious Belfast International Tattoo this weekend.
The Tattoo, which will take place on Friday, September 6, and Saturday, September 7 in the SSE Arena, is in its 11th year and features acts from Holland, Canada, Switzerland, Germany and Australia.
Pride of the Birches Accordion Band and Edgarstown Accordion Band, both from the Portadown area, have the honour of being among the participants from Northern Ireland and will be performing at the weekend.
According to its website, the event has its roots “firmly based in the history, music and dance traditions of the Ulster Scots people who have spread their wings around the world and have gone on to have such a major influence and direction on those countries and people they have come into contact with around the world”.
Originally known as Derrylileagh Accordion Band, Pride of the Birches was formed in 1946, taking its current name when the band moved to Kilmoriarty Orange Hall from Derrylileagh.
Since 1979, the band has taken part in over 40 contests and festivals, alongside many other parades and engagements every year. The band recently made the trip to Toronto, Canada, to take part in a demonstration there.
Edgarstown Accordion Band was formed in 1935 and began practising in a tin hut on Jervis Street following a meeting held in a founder member’s barber shop.
Edgarstown Accordion Band
While it was once a male-only band, girls make up a large percentage of the band today.
The band also maintains a rich family tradition, with some grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the original members still in the ranks today.
Active in the local community, the band had a period of low activity during WWII. Despite this, they helped the town celebrate VE Day by entertaining the crowds from the top of the air raid shelter in the town.
Next year, the band will be looking to celebrate its 90th anniversary with a number of events.
Ewan McNeill, a member of Pride of the Birches and an accordion band enthusiast, told Armagh I that the bands have “pulled it out of the bag in a short space of time” to get ready for the Tattoo.
He explained: “We were supposed to be taking part in the Tattoo in 2026 and then a space opened up this year. Whilst I was still in Canada I got a phone call asking would I be able to get a band to take part.
“We then had to get another band to do it with us that we had a good relationship with, so I contacted Edgarstown.
“They were all worried about not having enough time and not being able to perfect it, but for the experience, they decided to do it.”
The Pride of the Birches have been practising for the Tattoo twice a week ever since the end of July. Ewan hopes the success at practice can translate to their weekend performance.
“We’ve got on top of our routine and it should be alright,” he said. “It’s just exciting to be able to do this with Edgarstown. It’s an opportunity for both bands and a chance for both bands to get to know each other better. Hopefully, it continues into the future and we do other things together.
“We’ve really enjoyed working together. Everybody’s taken to it well and they’ve enjoyed practising. We’re going to have an even better weekend.”
