Banna Chluain Meala Irish Youth Marching Band, with 80 people and a color guard, is coming to town.

Mary and Tommie Leach, who moved to Albany from Clonmel, Tipperary in the 1950s, were big fans.

“My mom and dad both just enjoyed music all the time. They used to see the marching band in their hometown. They’ve seen them march parades, they’ve seen them perform,” said their son Ed Leach.

“Their goal is to foster musical education and development for the kids in Clonmel, but also in the surrounding areas, so they have some unique opportunities to travel and compete, and they do very well,” said son Tom Leach.

Mary and Tommie were also big supporters, donating to the band regularly.

Then for decades, the popular Mary Leach Memorial Golf Tournament raised money for the young musicians.

“We get together what we call our extended family now of over 100 people,” said Tom. “We not only remember my mom and dad, but we’re also remembering all the loved ones that come to the tournament.”

“And now we’re well over 100, close to 130. All of these people every year, they come back,” said Ed. “And they’ve really literally become family to us, year after year.”

“We’ve donated money, over $40,000 in proceeds over the last 23 years to help fund the band with whatever they need. Uniforms, touring, whatever they’ll be doing,” said son Sean Leach.

The music, the spirit and the Leach family generosity continues to spread.

The band will be traveling across the ocean to perform in this community that has shown it so much support.

“You know a lot of Irish immigrants came to Albany early on,” said Tom. “One of the venues we’ll be playing at is the Ancient Order of Hibernians. And when my parents came out that was kind of the area where all the Irish gathered.”

“We have a lot of local bands that are going to be playing in the Irish festival on Saturday (July 6),” said Sean. “They’re looking forward to meeting them when they come over here. And our bands here are looking forward to meeting them, so it’s going to be quite the event.”

“They’re really in for a treat,” said Ed. “I think they’re going to get a nice taste of an Irish community and a bond of band members that are very excited to come and looking forward to meeting people here and performing with them, so it’s– she’d be smiling pretty big, for sure.”

The Leach sons feel their parents are going to be there in spirit.

“They’ll be looking down, hopefully giving us good weather and I’m sure there will be a big smile on their face,” said Tom.

Banna Chluain Meala Tour 2024

Monday, July 1st
12:00 – 1:00pm Performance in West Capitol Park
Wednesday, July 3rd
5:00pm – 6:30pm Performing at Tri City Valley Cats, Joe Bruno Stadium @HVCC
Thursday, July 4th
10:00am – 12:00pm Marching in the Pittsfield, MA Fourth of July Parade!
Saturday, July 6th
1:00pm – 8:00pm – Performing at the Mary Leach Memorial Classic Music Festival
Ancient Order of Hibernian’s, 375 Ontario St, Albany, NY
Band Performances by: Kilashandra, Irish Dancers, Side B, Banna Chluain Meala Marching Band & Color Guard, The Squids