In 1962 the pipe band community on Long Island was extremely sparse by today’s standards.
When A.O.H. St. Patrick’s Division #2 would hold their annual St. Patrick’s Day Dance they would engage the Gleneagle Pipe Band or Amityville Highlanders to entertain.
Fortunately, a group of men from Division 2 were inspired to create a band of their own. This group was led by Matthew Close and included Kevin Murphy, Ned Daly, John Keating, and Michael Kenny starting on the pipes along with guest member John Young. The Drum Corps was organized by John Egan, Charlie McLaughlin (from Kevin Barry A.O.H. Division #3 Smithtown), and Jim Sullivan on bass drum. The mid-section included Pat Rodemyer and Bob Quinlan on tenor drums. The group held their first practices at the Captree Elementary School in West Islip.
In January of 1964 the band’s ranks were to be opened to female members from the families of men’s members in good standing, and to members of the A.O.H. Division #2 Ladies Auxiliary. This change was put in place primarily for Brigid Close who was daughter of Pipe Major Matt Close and a fine piper in her own right. Years later Brigid would move over to the drums and became the band’s Drum Sergeant for many years. Brigid built out a dominating drum corps that lasted for several decades.
It is not an easy task to start a pipe band from scratch, but the dream came to fruition on Memorial Day 1965 when the band debuted dressed in white long sleeve shirts and black slacks at the East Farmingdale Fire Department parade. On January 21, 1965 Ned Daly made a request to the Babylon Hibernians Inc for permission to purchase uniforms. He was advised that the band would need to perform for the general membership so a decision could be made. On March 29th of that year approval was given for the purchase of uniforms.
At the closing comments on this motion Brother Matt Close stated “This is a step we will not regret” Once the band hit the street there was no looking back. Raymond Ledger, an accomplished piper, joined the band as Music Director and prepared the band and a new crop of students to enter the highly contested band and solo competitions at the Hunter College Feis in 1967.
The ranks of the band quickly expanded, and no expense was spared by John McCarthy, Division 2 President and tenor drummer in 1968-69, along with piper Ned Daly. Both were instrumental in raising funds so the band could be outfitted with uniforms made by Thomas Gordon & Sons from Glasgow Scotland.
The band selected Saffron kilts as that is what is worn by the Irish Army pipers.
Jack Farrelly was the band’s first band manager, treasurer, and managed the refreshments out of the back of his car.
The Color Guard included Division 2 founder Mike Rice, Michael Moloney (the first Color Sergeant), Dennis Maloney and legendary storyteller Frank Smith.
Leo Kenny was the band’s first Drum Major.
In 1969 the Barrett’s Pipers and Dancers broke up and about ten of their pipers and drummers joined the Saffron Kilts. This caused quite a stir because the group was mostly teenagers and the Saffron Kilts was predominantly made up of adult men. For a short time the new players were outfitted with Saffron Kilts and Green Blazers with the original band patch until enough funds could be raised to provide proper uniforms.
The band made its first overseas trip in July of 1972 to play at the A.O.H. National Convention that was held in Dublin, Ireland.
During the early 1970s the band continued to grow and were very active ambassadors for the Division as they played at parades and dances far and wide. In addition, the band led the annual pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine in West Haverstraw, New York.
In the late 1970’s bass drummer Frank Mulligan took on the role of band manager and significantly increased the band’s income by raising the rates and booking fees for every parade on Long Island.
The band became very serious about competing and took part in many of the Feisanna and Scottish Highland Games along the east coast of the United States.
The year 1980 was a breakthrough year as the competition band, led by Michael Faughnan, were named the Eastern United States Grade IV Champions Supreme.
During Jimmy Carter’s presidency that year, the band was invited to play at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day evening. It was quite an event as the band requested permission to exit the New York City parade just after 60th street so they could get to LaGuardia Airport to catch the shuttle to Washington,D.C.
The expressions on the faces of the US Secret Service officers were priceless as they looked at the Color Guard’s swords and a skean dubh in just about every member’s hose. The Carter’s were great hosts and they took the time to introduce themselves to each and every member of the band on the back steps of the White under an enormous green shamrock.
Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill and Congressman Tom Downey had a great chat with the band and took us on a short tour of the White House.
The band continued to prosper but tragedy struck on Christmas Eve in 1984 when Pipe Major Matthew Close passed away from a heart attack.
Matt’s funeral cortege was led from St Joseph’s Church in Babylon through the streets of Babylon Village to his final resting place.
Michael Faughnan assumed the role of Pipe Major and kept the band on a steady path for growth and success. Some years the band fielded as many as three different competition units with all taking prizes in their respective grades. Michael brought in the top pipers and Pipe Majors from Canada, Ireland, and Scotland on an annual basis to provide world class instruction.
- New york