The Bristol County Fifes & Drums to Perform in Ireland

The Bristol County Fifes & Drums is about to embark on their annual tour and this year, they are going abroad. The BCFD represents Bristol in 12-15 parades and events every year and then their season culminates with a tour outside of the region. They have been as far west as South Dakota, playing at Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse, been guests of Walt Disney World, Florida, marching down Main Street, USA, and even played for the 400th Anniversary of the settling of Jamestown, VA, in the presence of then President Bush and of HM Queen Elizabeth. This year, the tour will be taking the BCFD abroad to play in the ancient festival, Puck Fair in Killorglin, Co. Kerry.

The Bristol County Fifes & Drums will begin their tour in Dublin, site seeing and when possible, trying out some Irish sessions. They will make their way to Killarney, where they will get to see the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula, and be in close proximity to their performance location, the Puck Fair. The final leg of the trip will take place in Galway, with some sightseeing and a trip to Limerick.

The BCFD is scheduled to do a standing performance on the opening day of the Puck Fair and then march the parade. Later that week, the corps will be guests of the St. Mary’s Fife and Drum Band from Limerick. The corps is excited to represent Bristol and, by extension, Rhode Island on an international scale. Music is a language that everyone can understand and is a great way to create connections and forge friendships for generations to come.

The Bristol County Fifes & Drums is a nonprofit and offers an out of region performance for free annually as part of its mission to educate and perpetuate ancient music. In addition to touring and preserving traditional music, the BCFD provides free music lessons to members. If you, or anyone you know is interested in joining, please contact bristolcountyfd@gmail.com.