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Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums

Music

To Galway and Back

Irish Thunder circling up in Galway (Photo courtesy, Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums)

Irish Thunder circling up in Galway (Photo courtesy, Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums)

Here’s how popular Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums was as they paraded through one of Ireland’s most picturesque cities for annual Galway Sessions Parade.

“Three times along the parade route, the band was asked to stop and play,” says Drum Major Pete Hand. “When we did that, the band was circled with onlookers. Each time, the Garda had to clear a path for the band to continue.”

The parade—the focal point of a trip planned by piper Joe Cassidy, with assistance from Frank Larkin—was just the beginning of a trip that will hold a place of prominence in the memories from a lot of pipers and drummers—along with a lot of other travelers who joined the band on the trip. Including band members and guests, there were 119 people.

The trip included some pretty great stops.

“All of the sites we saw were inspiring,” Hand recalls. “The Lady of Knock Shrine, The Great Causeway, the Aran Islands with its 300- foot incline to the top. The Rope Bridge, Titanic Museum, Trinity College, Book of Kells, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Cliffs of Moher—and let us not forget the Guinness and Tullamore Dew Tours!”

Of course, if an Irish pipe band is going to travel to Ireland, you’d expect them to play. And that they did. In addition to the parade, they played out in front of the famous Crane’s Pub, and along Shop Street, both in Galway.

One notable unscheduled appearance: what Hand refers to as “an Irish pipe band flash mob at The Temple Bar in Dublin. And there were other moments, some inspirational, like the time Cassidy and fellow piper Mike Brown played “Amazing Grace” on Inis Mor.

And yet one more moment, Hand thinks, that no one in the band will forget. It came on a visit to Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 1 in Derry.

“There was a ceili going on, and when the band went on break it was our turn to play. After playing some tunes that everyone really enjoyed,  the people in the hall were asked to rise for the “Anthem Set.”  When we played the “Soldiers Song,” everyone sung at attention.  It was a very moving moment.”

The band shared some of their photos. Here they are.

Arts

Leading the Parade

Irish Thunder tenor drummer Bernie Murray loads his gear onto the bus.

Irish Thunder tenor drummer Bernie Murray loads his gear onto the bus.

At this moment, members of Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums are in Galway City, less than a day away from leading the parade that is the centerpiece of one of the largest and most important cultural events in Ireland: The Galway Sessions.

Irish Music Magazine, in an online promo story about the event, described Irish Thunder as “famed.”

Drum Major Pete Hand doesn’t know where that description came from, but he’ll take it.

Standing by the side of the bus that would take him, the rest of the band and family members from the Sacred Heart Church parking lot in Swedesburg down the Philadelphia International Airport, Hand said all of the pipers and drummers are looking forward to the honor.

Other pipe bands will be in the parade, too. “There will be a Scottish band and an Irish military band, as well.”

That performance is just one of many exciting moments the band expects to experience in Ireland during the weeklong trip.

Actually, they were scheduled to experience one exciting moment already, en route from Dublin Airport to Galway. “Of course, we were planning on stopping at the Tullamore Dew Distillery for a little break,” Hand said. He was grinning when he said that.

Another highlight: A visit to an Ancient Order of Hibernians hall in Derry for a night of fun with their AOH brethren.

“They’re holding a ceili that night (music, dancing, and all-round partying),” Hand said. “Their hall is a short walk from our hotel. And then there will be some entertainment at a nearby pub.”

Along with band members, a lot of folks who wanted to travel with the band (I’ve done it, and it’s memorable) are on the trip. Together with the band members, it’s a substantial crowd—about 120.

After Derry, the tour heads further north, where everybody will get a chance to see the Giant’s Causeway, one of Ireland’s true wonders, and the relatively nearby Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge from the mainland out to a little island. Both tourist sights are in County Antrim. A visit to the Titanic Museum in Belfast comes later.

After that, it’s back home to Philly.

Several families are making the trip together. One of the biggest is the Murray family.

“There’s a whole passel of Murrays,” said Bernie Murray, a longtime Irish Thunder tenor drummer.

This is Bernie’s second trip to Ireland. The first was in 2000, when the band played at the All-Ireland Pipe Band Championship in Kilkenny. He expects this to be an even better trip.

“I know more now than I did the first time,” he said. “Plus, I’m going to be playing a lot. I love it.”

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News, People

Honoring the Memory of a Fallen Officer

Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums to perform.

Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums to perform.

Back on September 19, 2012, Irish Thunder Drum Major Pete Hand joined with other members of the band, and pipers from throughout the Delaware Valley, for a solemn occasion: to bid farewell to Plymouth Township Police Officer Brad Fox. Fox was gunned down by a hit-and-run suspect September 13, just shy of his 35th birthday.

Fox left behind his wife Lynsay, who at the time was expecting the family’s second child. On March 25, Bradley Michael Fox Jr. was born, the new younger brother to older sister Kadence.

Ever since the funeral, the band’s sponsoring Ancient Order of Hibernians division has wanted to find a way, not to mourn Brad Fox’s death, but to celebrate his life and honor his memory.

On Saturday afternoon and on into the night, they’re going to do just that with a “Celtic Salute” at the division’s hall in Swedesburg. Proceeds from the celebration will benefit Fox’s family.

AOH recognition of fallen officers is nothing new, says Hand.

“A few years ago, when police officers were killed in Philadelphia, we ran a fundraiser for the Fraternal Order of Police. Because Officer Fox was a local resident, we wanted to do something like that again. A lot of us wanted to do it right after the funeral, but the family asked us to stand down until well after the holidays. We chose a date in the spring, and the date was agreed upon with the family.”

Hand knows Brad Fox would have approved of a Celtic-themed celebration. “We know from his co-workers that he loved the bagpipes. Irish Thunder was the main organizer of the pipe bands at his funeral. We had 80 pipers and drummers. We’ll be playing for him again on Saturday.”

And a big event it will be. Along with Irish Thunder, many local Irish bands and musicians are donating their time and talent, including the Paul Moore Band, Belfast Connection, Oliver McElhone, No Irish Need Apply, Fisher and Maher, the John Forth Band, and more. The Coyle Dancers will also perform. Additional music will be presented by DJ Sean Givnish.

Much of the entertainment will take place in a big tent in the parking lot behind the Hibernians’ HQ at 342 Jefferson Street, with more music and fun in the AOH hall, and downstairs in the lounge. It’ll all go on, rain or shine, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Hand says the division wants to do what it can to ease the family’s pain. “We want them to have anything they need.”

Tickets are $30, which includes beer, wine, soda, and hot dishes.

To purchase tickets or make a donation, contact:

Division President Ron Trask
215-804-8323
or
rontrask@comcast.net

People

Remembering Verne Leedom

Verne T. Leedom

Verne T. Leedom

Verne Leedom died this week at the age of 81.

A dozen years or so ago, when I joined Irish Thunder Pipes & Drums, Verne was the band’s drum major. He was out in front of the band, parade after parade—waving the mace, calling out the tunes, wearing the conspicuous fuzzy hat. That he somehow managed to do so at all, a big man with bum knees, is a tribute to his fortitude. And more than that, really. He just loved being drum major. We would have followed him anywhere, and not just because he was yelling at us to do so.

Out of uniform, Verne was every bit as memorable. You’d see him sitting at a table downstairs at the Ancient Order of Hibernians Notre Dame Division hall in Swedesburg, leaning back in his chair and quietly chatting with friends. There might be a dozen or so people in the room, but Verne was the one you’d notice. And it wasn’t because he was the loudest or the most boisterous. His voice carried when he needed it to—you could always hear him loud and clear, even way back in the highly distractable drum line. But he stood out because he was listening. Everyone else was talking; he was listening.

No one listened more intently. He had a talent for making you feel like whatever you had to say was the most fascinating thing anyone had ever said. It was no act. Verne was genuinely interested. His eyes were riveted on your face, his ears and mind were wide open to whatever you had to say, and his little gray goatee never failed to frame a smile if you said something funny. He smiled a lot.

And it wasn’t as if you were Verne’s friend for just that moment. Once you were in with Verne—and he seemed to be open to just about everybody—you were in forever. Verne never “unfriended” anyone that I know of. Even after I left the band to join another one, Verne never held a grudge. Fairly uncharacteristic for an Irishman, in my experience, and especially unexpected in the often catty little world of pipe bands. I would still run into him from time to time at parades, festivals or AOH functions. It didn’t matter whether months or years had gone by. Verne would extend his hand, and he would always ask me, “How are ya, lad?”

Which, when you come to think of it, is a funny thing to call a 60-year-old man.

So thanks to Verne Leedom for making me feel like a kid. I’m most decidedly not one, but I’ll take it. Mostly, though, thanks for showing all the rest of us what it really means to be a friend.

Godspeed, lad.

We asked a couple of Verne’s friends to add their thoughts. Here’s what they had to say:

Pete Hand
Irish Thunder Drum Major

After I joined the AOH Notre Dame Division in 1996, I hooked up with Verne right away. I became part of the Isle of Erin Degree Team that he was a part of. He served as a director on the Home Association with me. When I was president of the division he was my vice president for many years. When I joined the Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums as drum major he gave me some instructions since he had been a drum major. He also served with me on the Saint Patrick’s Parade Committee and the festival committee.

So as you can see, at the age of 82 Verne was very active. He attended everything and was still an officer of the AOH Montgomery County Board when he passed away Tuesday morning.

Verne use to call me almost every day to see how things were or to get some dirt on the goings on at the AOH. He and his wife Ann attended almost everything that came up with the AOH. He was also Grand Marshal of the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade when it was in Norristown.

Verne will be missed by all here at the Notre Dame Division. But I will also miss him very much. He always said he never had a brother but he always considered me a brother to him.

We are going to give him a good send off on Saturday at Saint Patrick’s Church in Norristown. That’s what he would have wanted.

Mick McBride

My name is Mick McBride, I was born in Donegal, Ireland, and moved to the States in 1990. I met Verne on a Thursday night the summer of 2001; the night I was sworn in as an AOH member. Verne and I hit it off right away. He always called me, “Mickey me lad.” A year later I joined the pipe band (Irish Thunder) which Verne was quartermaster of at the time, so he had the huge task of “dressing” me (fitting me for my band uniform).

My first ever dress with the band was as drum major for the Norristown St. Patrick’s Day parade in which coincidentally, Verne was nominated as Grand Marshal. As the band reached the grandstand, we halted and left faced toward Verne. I walked to the stage and presented Verne with the band mace and asked if he would do the honor of calling the next set as Verne was drum major of the band for a period of time. I could tell it was an emotional time for Verne and it was for me as well. Verne never saw this coming.

Verne was a very humble man, a very proud man and he held the AOH in his heart strongly, serving the many roles he participated in over the year with great honor, valor and dignity. His intentions were always sincere and in the best interest of the AOH, constantly striving to uphold the values of what the AOH stands for.

In addition to being an asset for the AOH, and a well respected Hibernian Brother across the state, Verne was a former semi-pro ball player who kept us entertained with wonderful stories of years past, but most importantly, Verne was a loving husband and wonderful father. He was so proud of his family and even in recent weeks as Verne’s health declined, he refused to miss his son Sean’s wedding.

I could sit for hours telling you all the exceptional qualities of Verne—the list goes on and on. Verne will be missed like words cannot explain. Verne and his wife Ann are such a huge part of the AOH and they were first in line to volunteer with so many events at the AOH. Verne will get a send off on Saturday like no other!!!

RIP, lad.

Music, News

To Dingle and Back

Marching through the streets of Dingle.

Marching through the streets of Dingle.

The Swedesburg Ancient Order of Hibernians pipe band Irish Thunder recently returned from a trip to Ireland’s southwest Dingle Peninsula, where they took part in the annual Pan Celtic Festival.

As the photos and video show … it looks like band members had a good time.Pete Hand, Irish Thunder’s drum major, passed along the group’s many visual memories of the journey, and we happily share them here with you. 

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Music, News

On the Road to Dingle

Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums

Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums

For many of them, it will be their very first trip to Ireland.

But what a way to go, as members and friends of a gen-u-wine Irish-American bagpipe band, and one of the most popular in the Delaware Valley at that.

Seventeen members of Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums will be heading to the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland’s wild southwest to take part in the Pan Celtic Festival. With friends and family, 78 people altogether are going on this trip.

The Pan Celtic Festival is a huge gathering of clans from Ireland, Scotland, Wales … anywhere there are Celts. The festival takes place from April 26 through May 1. The Irish Thunder band will march in the Parade of all Celtic Nations through Dingle Town on Friday night the 29th, says Pete Hand, the band’s drum major.

The last time the maroon-kilted band traveled to Ireland, it was in July of 2000, for the All-Ireland Pipe Band Competition in Kilkenny. So, says Hand, this journey has been a long time coming. Members of the band have talked about a return for several years, but plans for this year’s trip crystalized over the hot dogs and potato salad at the annual band picnic last year.

“We’re getting excited now … we’re getting closer,” says Hand, who leads the band.

“It’s the first time (traveling to Ireland) for me,” adds Hand. “It’s the first time for a few of the other guys, too. It’s gonna be great ..I think its really going to be fun.”

Irish Thunder won’t be the only pipe band in the parade, but they’ll be one of the few carrying an American flag. “I’m sure we’ll be playing some American tunes that they don’t normally hear over there,” he says.

Of course, there will be plenty of time for sight-seeing as well. The travelers will do the obligatory Ring of Kerry, take in the white-knuckle view (1,300 feet above sea level) from Conor Pass, and visit the Cliffs of Moher.

Hand also notes that in Dingle, a town of 1,300 when nothing else is going on, there are 52 pubs. Band members are likely to belly up to the bar in, oh, a few of them. Says Hand: “We might have a contest.”

People

For Conshy Grand Marshal Pete Hand, the Third Time Was the Charm

Drum majoring at a recent AOH tribute in honor of fallen Philadelphia police officer Chuck Cassidy.

Drum majoring at a recent AOH tribute in honor of fallen Philadelphia police officer Chuck Cassidy.

You’ve been very active in the Ancient Order of Hibernians for quite some time. Obviously, it means a lot to you, but why?

The AOH means a lot to me because our organization has really grown over the years to helping people, schools and churches in need. The Notre Dame Division of which I’m a member received the AOH National Charity Award at the last national convention two years ago. This was a great moment for our division.

To be in the AOH, you have to a.) be a Catholic guy, and b.) come from an Irish family on one or both sides. What’s your background? What generation are you? Do you know where your family is from and how they wound up in Philadelphia?

My Irish roots come from my father’s side of the family, Bill Hand. His grandmother on his mom’s side, Jane McCann, whose maiden name was Tierney, came here to America from County Mayo. His mom’s name was Jenny and was cousin to the past mayor of Philadelphia, James Tate, who was a great Irishman himself.

On my father’s dad’s side, his roots go back to beyond the Revolutionary War. A Hand has served in every war up to Vietnam. My great, great uncle Christy lost his leg in the Civil War. My grandfather Jim Hand, who lived in Philly, lost everything when the Market crashed. He had a garage down off the Parkway around 22nd street. He owned just about the whole block and had the city contacts for vehicle repairs, along with other contracts. Well, he lost everything and to get by they began making their own beer and selling it. The neighbors used to call them the Irish Mafia. My dad used to say they had to eat corn flakes three times a day at times, just to have something to eat. A loaf of bread was only a nickel … but nobody had a nickel.

What do you do when you’re not being president of the AOH Division in Swedesburg, drum majoring for the Irish Thunder pipe band, chairing the Conshohocken St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, putting out fires with the Swedesburg Fire Company, going to church, and generally hanging out with Bernadette, your wife of 32 years, and your four kids Jeannie, Denise, Pete and Patrice? (Oh, and sleeping from time to time.) In other words, what do you do for a living? Tell us a bit about that.

Well, you’re right about that sleeping. Seems like when I hit the lounge chair I have no trouble falling asleep.

I’m an employee of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission . I have been with the turnpike for 27 years. I collected tolls for 25 years and now I work in the maintenance office at Plymouth Meeting. I’m the production control clerk, which involves keeping track of the trades people, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and welders, and of their work, material, purchase of materials and time.

By the way, I’m an active member of the Swedesburg Firehouse, but I do not fight fires. I’m more of a member who supports the firehouse functions.

You’ve been drum major of Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums for quite some time. How did you get involved in that? Why did you want to do that?

Well I always had a liking for bands. I used to live in the Fairmount area by the Parkway and, as you know, there was always a parade for something and my parents always took me down to them. I became involved with the Irish Thunder, first, by marching with the division color guard, which participates with the band in events. Our drum major John Sargent became ill and was not able to return.

After a couple months without John, there was talk of needing a drum major. I told the band members that I would like to try it and Verne Leedom, another past drum major of the Thunder, gave me some lessons to get me started.

I have being drum major for 18 months now and I’m planning to go to my first workshop for drum majors in February down in Baltimore.

Were you surprised by your selection as Grand Marshal of the 2008 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Conshohocken? How did you find out? What was your reaction?

Well, you never know who is going to get the Grand Marshal. I was nominated three times prior to this year and I turned it down every time. I decided to take the nomination at the end of last year’s parade if I was nominated this year. Many members and friends were upset that I turned it down again. My reason was that I was too young. But a fellow member spoke to me after the parade last year and said, if nominated next year, I should take it. You never know what’s going to happen. And that set in after I lost two friends, both in their early 50s. Even with that you don’t know who is going to be nominated. I was very happy as well with my family and friends. At the age 51 I’m the youngest Grand Marshal ever nominated in the Saint Patrick’s Parade in Montgomery County.

News

Attention, Pub Denizens: Irish Thunder’s Pipes are Calling

If you’re heading out to the pubs Wednesday night, you might get a little whine along with your beer.

The “lads” of Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums are staging their annual Thanksgiving Eve pub crawl.

Just in case you’re an Irish Thunder pub crawl virgin and you have no idea how this works, it goes like this:

  • You’re sitting on the stool, nursing your pint. Nothing special happening.
  • The door of the bar bursts open.
  • Twenty or so dudes in kilts and playing bagpipes march into the bar, playing “The Minstrel Boy” and “The Wearin’ o’ the Green.”
  • Your dull, boring night at the pub just got a whole lot more interesting.
  • You are so happy and grateful, you open your wallet and you dump a pile of money into a hat (or whatever else the Irish Thunder boys are passing around.)

I used to play drums with Irish Thunder, so I have done a pub crawl or two. I promise you, this raucous musical interlude will absolutely make your night.

Here’s where the band expects to show up, according to the Thunder’s Pete Hand:

“After getting together at the AOH Club House and getting things tuned up, the band will head over to Conshohocken around 6 p.m.

There, they will make stops at the American Pub, Flanigan’s Boat House, Guppy’s and Spam’s.

Then onto the bus down to Philly were they will plays some tunes at the Cherry Street Tavern, Fado’s, Irish Pub, Moriarty’s, Fergie’s, McGillin’s and the last stop, Tir na Nog.”

Hey, you were already planning on a trip to the ol’ watering hole, anyway, right? Might as well visit one where the pipes are calling. Between the beer and the tunes, you’ll get all misty for the old sod.

And, as they say around AOH Division 1 in Swedesburg, the band’s home: “Up the Thunder!”

(I think that’s meant to be a good thing.)