History of the Band
In 1973, a group of pipers who were former members of the Clan ná Gael Pipe Band, met to form a new Irish pipe band. They included Pete Murphy, Tom Canty, Jack Taylor, Jim Coll, Jim McPhillips and Joe Mathews. They were to be sponsored by the Philadelphia Emerald Society, a local organization of Irish-American police and firefighters. As the band grew, it became more active, participating in local parades and festivals. The band has marched in the Philadelphia and Wilmington St. Patrick's Day parades since the band's founding. In the 1980s, the band moved to the Commodore Barry Club (The Irish Center) where it has been practicing weekly ever since. Long-time band President, Jim McPhillips, was instrumental in the move. McPhillips, a piper, retired from piping in the late 1990s. He was a valued band member and is a great friend of the band. Since the 1980s, the band has competed in the eastern USA and has travelled to Ireland three times to participate in the All-Ireland Pipe Band Championships. Band Pipe Majors have included Tom Canty, Phil Townsend, Brian Widelitz, Joe Tobin, Rich Hall, John Collins, and currently John Taylor. The band is focused on growth and improvement and we hope to have years of continued success.