F.Y.I.
§The Broome County Celtic Pipes and Drums were formed during the summer of 1987, and first hit the street at the Binghamton St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1988.
§In only ten appearances in the NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, BCCP&D took third place in the “open class” in the 1997 Parade. The band took second place in the “Best Organizational Pipe & Drum Band” class in the 2004 NYC Parade. The band is off to Savannah, GA for Saint Patrick’s Day 2009. §BCCP&D is a multinational group, with many former military members in their ranks. §When President Bush welcomed Irish Prime Minister Ahearn on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2005 at the White House, Bush referenced the fact that BCCP&D piper Paul Sweeney had piped for the Marines before the battle for Fallujah in November 2004. §BCCP&D piper Paul Sweeney’s uncle Tom Meagher andTom’s brothers, Pearse and Don Meagher, helped instruct and form the NYPD Emerald Society Pipes & Drums in 1960. Tom also helped instruct the FDNY Emerald Society Pipes & Drums that was formed in 1962. Paul’s cousin, Brian C. Meagher, Sr. still pipes with NYPD and his son Brian, Jr., is a piping instructor to FDNY. Here is an article about Brian Jr. in the NY Times. §BCCP&D piper and world-class entrepreneur Tim Ward is the U.S. distributor for Portable Pubs, the inflatable authentic Celtic pubs that have been seen at numerous events all over America, like the Super Bowl XLII and NASCAR. He is also a part owner of McGirk’s Irish Pub in Chenango Bridge, NY.
§BCCP&D drum sergeant John Solan is also a talented drummer and vocalist with The Revelers, a local Irish Party Band.
§In only ten appearances in the NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, BCCP&D took third place in the “open class” in the 1997 Parade. The band took second place in the “Best Organizational Pipe & Drum Band” class in the 2004 NYC Parade. The band is off to Savannah, GA for Saint Patrick’s Day 2009. §BCCP&D is a multinational group, with many former military members in their ranks. §When President Bush welcomed Irish Prime Minister Ahearn on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2005 at the White House, Bush referenced the fact that BCCP&D piper Paul Sweeney had piped for the Marines before the battle for Fallujah in November 2004. §BCCP&D piper Paul Sweeney’s uncle Tom Meagher andTom’s brothers, Pearse and Don Meagher, helped instruct and form the NYPD Emerald Society Pipes & Drums in 1960. Tom also helped instruct the FDNY Emerald Society Pipes & Drums that was formed in 1962. Paul’s cousin, Brian C. Meagher, Sr. still pipes with NYPD and his son Brian, Jr., is a piping instructor to FDNY. Here is an article about Brian Jr. in the NY Times. §BCCP&D piper and world-class entrepreneur Tim Ward is the U.S. distributor for Portable Pubs, the inflatable authentic Celtic pubs that have been seen at numerous events all over America, like the Super Bowl XLII and NASCAR. He is also a part owner of McGirk’s Irish Pub in Chenango Bridge, NY.
§BCCP&D drum sergeant John Solan is also a talented drummer and vocalist with The Revelers, a local Irish Party Band.
