Eimear Noone Lends Support For Raise The Roof for the Ballinasloe Town Band

​Eimear Noone Lends Support For Raise The Roof
 
The “Raise the Roof” fundraising appeal (to defray the €50,000+ costs of renovating the roof of the Parochial hall), was successfully launched by Eimear Noone, the first woman composer in history to conduct the Oscar ceremony orchestra.
At a special public band recital in the town square she declared “ Noel Madden and his epic band of selfless, decent, kind and community-loving board members have achieved what might have been impossible for others - filling an historic building in Ballinasloe with life and music instead of condemning it to dereliction as is the fate of so many of our buildings in rural Ireland”.

“Having bought the building as the first permanent home for the town band for its 50 strong Youth Band members and those in the senior band (many of whom I played with as a kid,) they now need to reroof the thing! So, let's all buy a slate for 50 Euro and preserve the heritage of the band for future generation”, she continued.

Anyone wishing to support the appeal may purchase ‘slates’ from Band committee members. Slate purchasers will have their names recorded in the hall for posterity in appreciation of their community spirited generosity. Online purchases (or donations) may be made via the go-fund-me page on the bands revamped website www.ballinasloetownband.ie . Facebook members can follow the progress of the renovations and the appeal by liking the Town Band Facebook page. Enquiries to Martina 087 971 0496

Storm Ellen caused considerable damage to the funded renovations which were already under way. They were left devastated when 20% of the slates were dislodged and removed by the severe gusts of wind on the roof at the rear of the Parochial Hall. The freshly painted interior walls of the main hall will also have to be revisited due to water seepage from the slate loss on the roof. Areas of the recently installed ceilings will also require remedial attention.
Renovations continue at pace in the main hall and large rear annex. The ceilings were replaced and insulated, interior structure repainted, gas heating installed, and the whole building rewired. Two toilets were reinstalled, with one being wheelchair accessible.

They conducted weekly outdoor recitals in the town centre on Saturday afternoons throughout the summer. As the town and country limped out of lockdown, the musical interlude was helpful in lightening the gloom and raising the spirits in the town.

The residents of local and surrounding nursing home facilities were also delighted with the arrival of the band to their premises with weekly performances at Garbally View, St. Brendan’s CNU, Mill Race, Ballinderry, Aughrim, Ahascragh, Kiltormer, and Killimor keeping the band busy.

The Ballinasloe Youth band is now recruiting after a very successful first two years. Children from 2nd class onwards can enroll in the band. They will have the opportunity to learn instruments including flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drums and everything in between. The tutors have years of experience as performers and teachers and children will always receive a warm and encouraging welcome. The band is currently monitoring the situation with regards to covid-19 and will arrange start dates in the coming weeks. However, places are always limited so if you’d like more information about the Ballinasloe Youth Band, you can head to www.ballinasloetownband.ie/join where you can register your interest.