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History
The Queensland IRISH Association Pipe Band has existed under different names and associations since before the turn of the Twentieth Century making it one of the oldest bands in Queensland and the oldest Irish Pipe Band in Australia. The Association formally established on March 23rd 1898, following the resignation, "en Masse" of the members of the 6 Companies of Queensland Irish Volunteers in the Queensland Land Defence Force. Ex-members of the volunteers combined with the H.A.C.B.S. to found the new Association and the Inaugural Secretary was Major P.J. Stephens, former Commandant of the Irish Volunteers. Although there is no direct relationship the Association can be regarded as a descendant of the Queensland Hibernian Association which was founded in 1871 and the principles of the earlier Association are embodied in the Constitution of the Queensland Irish Association.
The once feared “Green Machine” (as the band was affectionately known in the late 1980’s due to their scale, number of bands and dominant green uniform) has over the years produced a prolific number of highly talented musicians. Subsequently, the band has produced the foundations of several bands now in South East Queensland. Past members have gone on to compete at the highest levels internationally including, Scotland (Boghall & Bathgate, Strathclyde Police, Polkemet, The City of Glasgow, Bucksburn & District to name but a few).
The Band has performed at international venues such as Festivale de Celtiquie de Lorient in 1985, 1999 &2006; World Championships 1979, 1983, 1985, as well as regularly competing in New Zealand.
At Present the organisation is composed of one pipe bands, and it’s own independent Ceilidh (folk/celtic) Band, Murphy’s Pigs. Along with the Club’s Irish Dancers, this enables all group’s to create a rich blend of textures and stage significant cultural productions. The organisation’s principal objective is to promote celtic culture and music, which is enjoyed in a social environment
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