Dunloy Accordion Band

After been out on parade the same afternoon, the band made the journey up to Ballymoney in County Antrim for Dunloy Accordions parade.

Dunloy are the pinnacle of accordion bands in the country, they look the part, sound fantastic and are a good bunch of guys and girls. The host band travel all over the country, sometimes into mainland Britain and were duely rewarded with a turnout of between 80 and 90 bands. An excellent turnout for all their hard work.

With the parade starting at between 7:30pm and 8pm, the band was eager to get up early and get a good position in the parade. I think we were roughly in the first 16 bands away, which was good with so many bands on show.

The band picked up a few members on route to Ballymoney, mainly another four fluters and therefore we paraded with 4 in the Colour Party, Davy Mercer as Drum Major, 7 drummers, Cutter and Duff on the bass and cymbals, 23 fluters and 1 side walker.

The band got quite a reception from the crowd; the streets along the route were jam packed with spectators, ranging from the young to the not so young. But mainly a family sense to the parade which is good to see.

Big Bush and Yee Haa, our two American medleys, went down a treat going down Main Street, with quite a few ‘whip crack aways’ coming from the crowds. Another that the crowd enjoyed was the Longest Day, a tune that was completely updated, with new parts and a lovely piccolo piece added to enhance the overall sound.

With the band parading early, it meant we could relax for the remainder of the night.

The melody section was particularly good, with the likes of the UVF band, Fife and Drums, Shankill Road Defenders, Sows of William Cookstown, Pride of the Raven, Newtownards Melody, Omagh and Pride of Ballinran all in attendance.

The Accordion section was a great sight, o many wee lodge bands, and other bigger names all out in support, doing their bits to entertain the crowds.

On the Blood and Thunder section, Kilcluney, Dunamoney, Lambeg and Ballykeel all playing extremely well going past the main crowds.

The parade itself was led by The Imperial Corps of Drums from Liverpool. Great to see the band in action and sounding and looking really well aswell.

The host band Dunloy paraded last and finished up the night with a rapturous roar and applause from the crowds. With near 30 accordions on show and near 10 drums, it was a good way to end a fantastic parade. The sight of a full Dunloy coming towards you is exceptional.

Big well done to the host band and we hope to be back next year.