Welcome

Welcome to the St. James’s Brass and Reed Band website – the oldest band in Ireland and possibly Europe. Officially established in 1800 but early records trace back to as far as 1737.

St. James’s Band has participated in numerous events of historic importance, which included playing at the meetings of Daniel O’Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell. The band was invited to play at Parnell’s home in Avondale and later led his funeral to Glasnevin Cemetery. You can read more about the band on our history page.

St. James’s Band boasts a vast musical repertoire that ranges from overtures, selections, marches, and some of the most current popular tunes. View our upcoming performances.

If you are interested in learning an instrument or would like to join the band explore our JD Academy Band and New Members pages for more details. If you would like to hire the band get in touch.

Our conductor Kevin Corcoran is an acclaimed ensemble and solo percussionist with experience in classical, band and stage performances. In recent years he has begun the transition to conducting. Read more about Kevin here.

band members outside

Next performances

Here are our next performances. Get in touch if you would like to hire us for your event.

  • Our JD Academy will play in The Square Shopping Centre on the 20th December at 7pm. All welcome.

    December 20th, 2024 | 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  • The band are delighted to perform at this year's St. Michael's Church Christmas Concert. Not to be missed. The evening promises to be packed full of talented local performers. All welcome.

    December 15th, 2024 | 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
  • Join the band as we perform our Christmas programme in Newbridge Shopping Centre from 11am on the 8th December. All welcome!

    December 8th, 2024 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Social updates

If you have any questions you can connect with us on our social networks.

4 days ago

Saint James's Brass & Reed Band
We had such a fantastic weekend in Clonakilty at the South of Ireland Band Championships. It was great to play music and see our Brass band friends from all the other bands! We were over the moon to win 2 awards in the Senior section: the adjudicators award for Best Clarinet Section for Clarinet Candy (that you can hear the band playing in this video!) and Best Soloist, with the lovely Aidine smashing it in Cake Walk Fantasy with her Trombone solo. What a weekend! We are so proud of all of the band, and reeling from all the fun we got to have as well!Thank you as always to all of the organisers of a fantastic event and weekend, and to those in our band organising all of the logistics to get us all there for a jam packed weekend 💙 ... See MoreSee Less
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It’s time! We are all gathering in Clonakilty for South of Ireland Band Championships 2025 💖🎶🥁🎺🪈 ... See MoreSee Less
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It was all go tonight at our last rehearsal before South of Ireland Band Championships this weekend! Everyone has been working hard ahead of the competition and we can’t wait for a weekend full of music and seeing all of our Brass and Reed band friends from across Ireland. The count down is on..! #SeeYouInClonakilty 🎶🎷🎺🪈🥁 ... See MoreSee Less
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🎤🪈🎺**This Saturday** 🎺🪈🎤We're looking forward to a wonderful night of music with St. Michaels Reunion Choir and Mary Byrne on Saturday June 7th.Tickets still on sale! #summerconcert #summerconcertinchicore #inchicore#dublin8 ... See MoreSee Less
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We're looking forward to a wonderful night of music with St. Michaels Reunion Choir and Mary Byrne on Saturday June 7th.Tickets are now on sale.#summerconcert #summerconcertinchicore #inchicore#dublin8 ... See MoreSee Less
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