We are the Shannon Rovers Irish Bagpipe Band. For over 75 years,
the Rovers have been a cultural fixture in the Chicagoland area.
From parades to politics, weddings to funerals, generation to
generation, the Shannon Rovers have been there through it all,
bringing the passion of Irish music with them.
The Shannon Rovers "Club" was
organized in 1926 by Tommie Ryan and a group of Irishmen, most of
whom emigrated from Ireland in the 1920's, an historical period in
Ireland. This was a period that included the occupation by the
'Black and Tans', the assassination of Michael Collins, the
formation of the Irish free state, and the subsequent civil war in
Ireland. They arrived in the United States in time to experience
the great depression, as reflected in the minutes of a meeting held
in 1930, which states that "the Shannon Rovers Club was organized
for the promotion of Irish music and to help members who are in
distress to run dances and social affairs to finance these
objectives". It's been over seventy-five years since these proud
Irishmen, then calling themselves the Shannon Rovers Fife and Drum
Corps, first stepped off to lead a great parade. The year was 1926
and the place was newly opened Gaelic Park on 47th street. For the
first six years, their fife and drum music was heard at every Irish
gathering in the city. They attracted new members and became one of
the most popular marching bands in the midwest. One of the
highlights of the early years was a 1928 performance for the
Democratic presidential nominee, Alfred E. Smith.
In 1932 the band switched to bagpipes, which are referred to in
Ireland as the warpipes. Since the warpipes stirred up the Irish in
battle, they were legally defined as an instrument of war under
British law, and to play the pipes during the time of the Penal
Laws was a capital offense. Since its founding, the Shannon Rovers
have performed in thousands of local, national and international
events. Their unique sound has welcomed distinguished visitors from
all over the world to our wonderful city and touched the hearts of
thousands with stirring traditional Irish music including marches
and gentle Irish airs. While there have been many high points
during the colorful history of the band, including an appearance at
the 1933 World's Fair, one of the most exciting was the opportunity
to play for His Holiness Pope John Paul II during his first visit
to Chicago. The Rovers have also had the privilege of playing for
many of the U.S. Presidents starting with Franklin D. Roosevelt. In
1952, the Shannon Rovers organized the first West Side Parade. It
assembled in Garfield Park and marched on Madison Street from
Hamlin Avenue to Laramie. It was the beginning of an annual tribute
to St. Patrick that would eventually include participants from
every community in the city. Today it is recognized as one of the
greatest parades in the country. The band's first "annual" trip to
Ireland was made in 1932 - aboard the S.S. Columbus, followed by a
second visit in 1968. In 1982, the Rovers competed for the first
time in Ireland's Fleadh Cheoil, then held in Listowel Co. Kerry.
The band placed first. They returned to the competition in 1994.
This time it was held in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary and the band took
3rd place. In 1996, the band returned to the Fleadh Cheoil, which
was again held in Listowel, Co. Kerry and played to a second place
finish. The Fleadh Cheoil is organized by the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri
Eireann and is held annually. It is a world class event with Celtic
bands and musicians coming from all over the world to compete in
traditional Irish music. For a group to compete in Ireland it must
qualify by placing first, second, or third in its home country.
One of the Shannon Rovers' proudest traditions has been leading
Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade. Beginning with the crowning of
the St. Patrick's Day Queen in February through the month of March,
the Rovers play over 125 events. However, nothing compares to
stepping off to lead the Parade. The excitement of the crowd is
contagious. The kelly green decorations lining the parade route
always seem to brighten even the most overcast of parade days.
Everyone loves a parade, but leading the greatest parade in the
country is really something else again. Even the most veteran of
Rovers share the enthusiasm of the crowd on this special day. This
great city has carried on the tradition since the first annual St.
Patrick's Day parade on State Street in 1956. The Shannon Rovers
Irish Pipe Band have stepped off every parade since then and are
proud to be a part of that tradition. In 1980, the Shannon Rovers
visited Australia to lead Sydney's St. Patrick's Day Parade and
returned to Chicago in time to lead Chicago's Parade - that's
right, two St. Patrick's Day Parades in opposite corners of the
world within a 24 hour period. The most emotional Chicago St.
Patrick's Day parade was a memorial, in 2002, to the 9/11 attack on
the World Trade Center. The parade was dedicated to Father Mychal
Judge, Chaplain of the New York Fire Department and the thousands
others who lost their lives in the attack. The parade was attended
by President George W. Bush.
In 2009, the Shannon Rovers added another sitting President to the
list of dignitaries they have had the honor to play for when they
were invited to play at the White House, on St. Patrick's Day, for
President Barack Obama. The original purposes of the band are still
maintained. The band plays traditional Irish music almost
exclusively. The origins of many of the tunes are lost in
antiquity. Centuries ago words were added to many of the melodies
and these words provided the names of the tunes as we know them
today. The band's signature set, 'Garryowen', 'O'Donnell Abu', and
the 'Wearing of the Green' are ancient Irish melodies with words
that were composed in the 1700 and 1800's, some of which chronicle
events in the 1600's. More recently Garryowen was made famous in
this country by Thomas Meagher's Irish Brigade in the Civil War and
later by George Custer's Seventh Cavalry. The band also maintains
it's original purpose of helping those in need. Members freely
volunteer their time for all types of civic and charitable events.
More than 500 individuals have played the pipes and drums as
Shannon Rovers over the years. Today, the band is made up of
seventy plus pipers, drummers and color guard. Membership has
passed from generation to generation and includes plumbers, social
workers, bankers, lawyers, electricians, doctors and celebrities to
name but a few. It's a mix of people who enjoy each other's company
and genuinely work hard at putting together the best performance
possible. For most, the band has become an extended family with
friendships that have endured for decades. The common thread that
seems to hold it all together is the genuine love of traditional
Irish music.
