Band History

The Mourne Young Defenders was formed in 1976, when 5 local Band Enthusiasts namely, George Ballance, Everett Hanna, Maurice Donaldson, Ivan Cunningham and Lyn Hamilton [the famous five] took it upon themselves to form an independent Flute Band whose membership would hail from the four corners of the Kingdom of Mourne.

The name Mourne Young Defenders was eventually agreed upon during a meeting held in Silent Valley Orange Hall following a suggestion made by “Big Time”. The suggestion was unanimously agreed on by all present.

Jumpers and Black Berets were acquired from Mr William Keown [Dundrum]. Flutes were purchased from Mr Jack Evans [Lisburn]. Drums from Matchett Musical Instruments [Belfast]. Bass Drum [½ Lambeg] from William Hewitt Snr [Sandy Row]. All costs of the Bass Drum were met by the “Famous Five”. Each Band Member paid for his own jumper and all other monies and expenditure was obtained as a result of donations and collection from within the Mourne area.

Seniority then took priority with the appointment of the experienced Mr John C Cassidy as Flute Tutor, with his much younger brother Ronnie Cassidy and his assistant Ian McCullough aka ‘Curly’ being our Drum Tutors

First Parade took place on Easter Monday 19th April 1976 in Carrickfergus Co. Antrim. The Band being led on that occasion by Angus McCullough. 19 Flutes and six side drums, ‘Big Time’ on the Bass Drum, Lyn Hamilton on the Cymbals.

In August 1976, the Band was presented with a Band Standard by Mr Edmund McCullough, Annalong. The Red Hand and Union Flag were also donated by local Fishermen, who wished to remain anonymous.

In 1979, the Band took its first major step toward upgrading its attire when the Band purchased its first selected designed uniform from Alastair Herron [Dromore]. Blue Jackets with a red trim.

Following 12th day outings in Banbridge, Rathfriland, Waringtown and Lisburn the Band was honoured with an invitation from the City of Belfast L.O.L 373 to accompany them in the Belfast District 12th Demonstrations. Except for our Canadian visit of 1991, this has been an ongoing commitment on the part of the Mourne Young Defenders to the City of Belfast L.O.L 373.

Ongoing alterations were made to the uniform over the years until 1987 when a complete new all navy blue uniform was purchased.

1988 proved to be a very sad milestone in the Band’s history when at 8am on the morning of 15th February 1988, 23-year-old Alan Johnston was murdered at his place of work. Alan had been a member of the Mourne Young Defenders for 4 years and was an accomplished side drummer. Alan was a part time soldier in B Company 3 UDR and his commitment as a soldier in defence of our country cost him his life.

In 1988 at Easter, the Band acquired new flags including a Bannerette with Alan Johnston name added to it after the Band received permission from the Johnston family who also met the cost.

In 1990 a third, completed full dress uniform was purchased and in the following year 1991, a new set of Andante Drums was purchased prior to a 52 strong Mourne Young Defenders entourage travelling to Toronto, Canada for a three-week holiday-band tour. To this day, this has been one of the major highlights in the Band’s History.

The Band has entered the NIBA Flute Band Championships on several occasions winning the All Ireland Championship in 1999 at their 3rd attempt under the baton of Mr Samuel Newell.

In 1996, a major change took place when the Band Officers decided to adopt a new uniform style in the form of the present day uniform based on the dress blues of the US Marine Corps. Sadly, in July of that same year Drummer Paul Campbell was tragically killed in a road traffic accident.

Since 1996, the Band has achieved a position within the Marching Band domain whereby it is recognised as a disciplined and talented unit very much to the forefront of the Flute Band Musical Experience. Always with a willingness to embrace change, this was evidenced when Belfast man David Montgomery over seen the development of the Mourne Young Defenders Drum Corps and introduced many new styles and ideas which have been largely responsible for bringing the Mourne Young Defenders Drum Corps to its present day position while at the same time adhering to all that is best within the world of traditional Flute Band Excellent.

1997 saw the Band make the first of many such visits to the Glasgow 12th in Scotland and the establishing of new and lasting friendships from within the Orange and Royal Black Community in Scotland.

From its infancy and its early Blood and Thunder days the Mourne Young Defenders has progressed to its present day status of one of the finest Melody Flute Bands within the Kingdom.

Standards that they set were clearly demonstrated when in November 2005 the Band received an invite to travel to London and accompany the London Regiment of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces through the streets of her Capital City in the ‘Lord’s Mayor Parade’.

September 2006 saw the Mourne Young Defenders make its 2nd appearance [an inaugural visit having been made in 2002] at the Kendal Street Pageant in Lancashire, England. An annual event that attracts a crowd of 50,000 plus, making it England’s second biggest Community Festival. On this visit, the Mourne Young Defenders won the accolade of Best Band on Parade.

All the hard work, effort, pride, musical excellence, and colour being captured in the superb Gary McCutheon production of the ‘London’s Return DVD. This encapsulated all the emotion of what was a hugely successful, enjoyable and memorable trip for all concerned.

Today in the Autumn of 2007 the Mourne Young Defenders stands well equipped for 2008 and the years beyond.