Achill Pipeband return to the Aviva for Ireland’s vital qualifier

Cory Kilbane

For the second time in five months, the Achill Pipeband have been granted the honourable opportunity to play AmhrΡn na bhFiann at the Aviva Stadium.
The band will once again perform in front of a capacity crowd at the ‘do or die’ second leg World Cup qualifying fixture against Denmark on November 14.
The pipeband previously performed the national anthem at the Aviva on June 11 when Ireland played Austria in a crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier.
Reacting to the news, PRO of Achill Pipeband Joe Mulligan said, “The phone call yesterday (Thursday) came as a very pleasant surprise. It was one thing to be asked to perform at the Aviva once, but to be asked to come back and perform for such a crucial tie is an absolute privilege,” he said.
Having been through the process before, Joe feels that the band will be able to be more relaxed and comfortable in their surroundings this time around.
“I think this time we can enjoy it a little bit more. Prior to playing, we will have one focus, we will have a job to do and we will be looking to do it to the best of our abilities.
“When we come off the pitch after playing, then we can enjoy the football spectacle. Up to that point, our focus will be on performing and doing the national anthem justice. We know we are flying the flag for the parish of Achill and we want to represent Achill to the best of our ability.”
Reflecting on the year Joe feels that it has been a rollercoaster for everyone in the band. For him, playing in the Aviva Stadium is a once in a life time opportunity but to do it twice in a calendar year is ‘unthinkable’.
“For a band from an island off the west coast of Ireland, to do something like this twice is unbelievable,” he concluded.