Home

About Us

Contact Us



Gallery

Links

About the Artane Senior Band

The Artane Senior Band was founded in 1988 by a group of past members of the Artane Boys' Band. For the first 12 years of its existence the band consisted entirely of past members of the famous Artane Boys' Band. The band now welcomes musicians from other ensembles and musical backgrounds to join its ranks, although membership still consists predominantly of past Artane Boys’ Band members.

The Artane Senior Band provides an opportunity for former Artane Boys' to keep in touch with friends and to continue their musical enjoyment, education and performance.


The Foundation

In September 1986, to celebrate the Artane Boys' Band's centenary with the G.A.A., all past pupils of the band were invited back to mount a musical extravaganza in Croke Park. This was a huge success, with over 300 musicians figure-marching and filling the stadium with a sound never witnessed before on this hallowed ground. So impressive was that performance Cumann Luthchleas Gael invited the past pupils to participate in the finals in 1987, and again in 1988.

In 1988, due to the enormous success of the previous two years performances, a group of these past members decided to form a past members band on a more permanent basis. So, in September 1988 in the Hogan Stand, Croke Park, the Artane Senior Band became a reality.

This was the first such formation of a Senior Band at Artane in its 118 years of musical history, consisting entirely of past pupils of The Artane Boys' Band. The ambition of the band then remains strong to this day, to help and encourage the Artane Boys' Band to greater heights while maintaining their own identity as a professional and disciplined ensemble.

Today the Artane Senior Band is one of Irelands well known musical ensembles. The Senior Band has a committed membership who have a love of entertainment. Although a military band in its instrumental make up, the Artane Senior Band has a vast repertoire and can adapt to many musical requirements.

The Artane Senior Band strives to create an environment where members both young and not so young can make music together in a friendly and relaxed environment. The Band encourages its members to further their musical education and is now an integral member of the Artane School of Music.


Joe Lynch, Musical Director

Joe Lynch began his distinguished career with the Artane Boys' Band in September 1956. At the age of 14, Joe first conducted the band at a concert in Kilrush, Co. Clare. After completing his training with the Artane Boys' Band, Joe continued his musical education studying under Prof. A.J. Potter and Col. J.P. Brennock (Director, Irish Army School of Music). On completing his studies, Joe returned as Musical Director of the Artane Boys' Band, where he built and developed the band until his retirement in 1995.

Joe has conducted the band with world-renowned artistes such as Neil Diamond, James Last, Frank Patterson, Perry Como, and Bing Crosby. During his career with Artane, Joe has performed for every Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and President of Ireland, and also United States Presidents John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton.

Since its foundation in 1988, Joe has been a very important member of the Artane Senior Band team.
© Artane Senior Band, 2008