Mayo County Council honours céilí band with Civic Reception

Mayo County Council have honoured the renowned Pipers Cross Céilí Band with a Civic Reception.

The Pipers Cross Céilí Band has now joined the list of a select group of individuals who have received the prestigious accolade.

The event, which took place on Thursday, July 25, recognised the band’s achievement of being crowned the winners of the Senior Céilí Band Competition at the All-Ireland Fleadh in 2023. 

The 12-piece band comes from all across the county, with the exception of one member from Fermanagh.

The Civic Reception, hosted by the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council Cllr John O’Hara, marked the highest honour that the council can bestow upon its distinguished sons and daughters.

The Cathaoirleach congratulated the group on being awarded a Civic Reception, calling the day a ‘celebration’ of the groups ‘extraordinary achievements’.

“It is a recognition of your immense talents, and a testament to your commitment to preserving and promoting our county's rich cultural heritage. The Pipers Cross Céilí Band is more than just a group of talented musicians; you are ambassadors for Mayo at home and abroad,” added Cathaoirleach O’Hara.

Coming together in 2019, The Pipers Cross Céilí Band have gone from strength to strength. Along with being a top-class musical group, they teach music, song, and dance right across the county and organise musical sessions to get young people involved in music. 

Cathaoirleach O’Hara continued: “Through your music, you weave a vibrant tapestry that brings together the heart and soul of our county and its traditions.  Your commitment to sharing this tradition with the next generation is one of the truly inspiring things that you do.”

Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly, concluded: “A Civic Reception is reserved for people and groups who have achieved extraordinary accolades and brought immense pride to the county.”

Mr Kelly, called a Civic Reception ‘the greatest distinction that Mayo County Council can bestow upon its citizens’. He explained that the honour is reserved for those who achieve ‘extraordinary accolades’ which bring ‘immense pride to the county’.

“Your group is a true reflection of the county in its entirety with 12 members from places like Killala, Kilmovee, Achill, Hollymount and Belcarra to name but a few.

“The love of music, song and dance and sharing that love with everyone is what brought you together in the first place and it is that love that has seen you go on to achieve such phenomenal success,” he concluded.