News
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of our President Patrick (Paddy) Clare. Paddy was a member of the band for over fifty years. He was passionate about the Black Raven’s and dearly loved his time as a member of the band. As well as being a piper, he also served on the committee for most of his time with the band. At committee level he fought for what he believed in for his beloved Black Raven. He was always fully involved in all of the bands activities including fund raising events. His proudest moments were when the band won the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships in 1967 and 1976. He travelled to Lorient in France and Texas on a few occasions to play at special events. On these trips he made many life lasting friends.
Paddy will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and also in the Pipe Band World
Our deepest condolences to his wife Margaret (Peg) and the rest of his family.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE
James (Jemmy) Russell was a piper with the Black Raven Pipe Band for over seventy years. He was Pipe–Major with the Black Raven when the band won Grade 3 All–Ireland Pipe Band Championships in 1967 in Lisburn. He continued the play the bagpipes until he was over ninety years of age. He passed away last year, 2012, at the age of ninety–four.
He loved pipe band music and pipe band competitions. Over the seventy years of his piping career there was rarely an All Ireland Pipe Band Championships that he missed. It is probably fair to say that the All Ireland was always his favourite competition of the season. It is with this in mind that his wife Bridget and his family are proud to present a piping trophy in his memory for the All Ireland Pipe Band championships. The Russell family would at this time like to thank the Irish Pipe Band Association for giving us the opportunity to make this award in his memory, and through this we trust his memory will live on in the piping world.
Are dheis De go raibh a anam.
The James (Jemmy) Russell Memorial Trophy will be awarded for best piping performance in Grade 4b All Ireland Pipe Band Championships. A member of the Russell family presented the trophy to the All Ireland organising committee.
The Band holds a Whist Drive every Wednesday evening, commencing at 8.30pm at the Lusk Parish Centre (Old School).
Please feel free to come along and enjoy a lovely evening away from the TV.
School of Piping and Drumming
Classes for Piping and Drumming take place on Wednesday evenings commencing on 27th MARCH 2013 in the band hall located in the Parish Centre (Old School) from 7pm to 8pm.
For further please call Ciara on 086 1765395 after 4pm or visit the band hall on Wednesday 27th March.
The Black Raven has a busy St Patrick’s Day schedule. The band will lead the parade in Swords commencing at 12 noon. The band then moves on to Lusk to lead the parade in their home town. The band will also showcase some new members who have graduated from the piping and drumming school.
Former Black Raven President Jimmy Russell was remembered at a special Mass in St. Macullins Church Lusk on Saturday 2nd March to mark one year of his passing. The Mass was attended by members of his family and members of the Black Raven. A special poem was recited by one of his grandsons to mark the occasion. A fitting tribute was also played on the pipes. Members of the family gathered at his home and swapped stories of his time in the band.
Next committee meeting 11th March 2013 in Lusk Parish Centre at 9:30pm