Bob Doris, SNP MSP for Glasgow has called on Glaswegians to cheer on local Irish music group, St Roch’s Céilí band, as they head to County Cavan for Ireland’s Fleadh Cheoil music competition this week (16 – 22 Aug).

The musicians based in Garngad, Glasgow are already the current All-Britain Champions, having fought off fierce competition from Irish music bands from all over the UK including London, Manchester and Liverpool. The St Roch’s Céilí band are part of a vibrant Irish cultural scene in Glasgow and victory would be fantastic boost.

There are hopes that St Roch's can complete a ‘Celtic double’ after Ireland based Scottish pipe band, St Laurence O’Toole, won Glasgow's World Pipe Band Championships. And now a Glasgow based band could win in Ireland.

Mr Doris said: "Last weekend we had the prestigious World Pipe Band Championships here at Glasgow Green and we were delighted to see Dublin’s St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band being crowned world champions for 2010.

"This week the St Roch’s Céilí band will be representing our city at the Fleadh in County Cavan in the senior céilí band competition. This is professional level and we need to take our hats off to these musicians for their dedication and hard work. Win or lose St Roch's do great work within the community and are great ambassadors for Glasgow.

"Traditional music is thriving in both Scotland and Ireland as we have seen these last couple of weeks. And the Irish community in Scotland is to be commended for encouraging the continued teaching of traditional instruments to youngsters."

Note:

Bob Doris has lodged the following motion at the Scottish Parliament:

S3M-06831 Celebrating Musical Connections with Ireland
That the Parliament congratulates the St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band from Dublin on being crowned World Pipe Band Champions 2010 on Saturday 14 August 2010 at Glasgow Green in front of 55,000 spectators and participants from across the world; notes that Ireland’s Fleadh Cheoil music competition is being held in County Cavan from 16 to 22  August and wishes St Roch’s Céilí band from Garngad in Glasgow, current All-Britain Champions, good luck as they represent Scotland in the senior céilí band competition at the Fleadh; welcomes the contribution that Irish cultural organisations such as St Roch's have made to both Glasgow and Scotland; praises the dedication of musicians participating in both of these prestigious events, and considers that both nations are served well by such professional standards in the continuation of their shared Celtic musical heritage.