It wasn’t a scheduled event, it was organised with haste, but hundreds of people took to Gorey’s Main Street last Saturday night to cheer on Wexford’s latest All Ireland champions – St. Michael’s Pipe Band who won their first national title in 38 years at New Ross earlier in the afternoon.

On their return they dismounted from the bus at the ’98 monument and paraded down the street and gave an inspiring exhibition as a token of the warm welcome home.

The newly crowned champions were welcomed by Cllrs Robbie Ireton and Pip Breen, family and townspeople.

The last time that Gorey won a national championship was in the summer of 1976, but on this occasion proved best of 15 bands in their section and upwards of 80 bands from the whole island of Ireland in the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships.

Amazingly, two members Tom Doyle (Pipe Major) and John Cullen (Pipe Sergeant) were members the last time national success came to Gorey.

“We got a great welcome when we came back to Gorey and thanks to everybody who have always supported us. It is great for the band and great for Gorey,” said John Cullen.

Pipe Major, Tom Doyle, recalls that “there is scarcely a family in the town who have not had some member associated with the band.”

There was great support in New Ross and tears of joy when the results were announced.

The 2014 All-Ireland champions consist of John Cullen, (Chairman), Tom Doyle, (Pipe Major), Darragh Doyle, Arthur Bass, Niall Redmond, Mylene Venn, Paul Burke, Ciarán Mac Murchiadh, Paul Dempsey, Ger Carroll, Cian Fitzpatrick, Shane Flood, Barry Murphy, Michael Kinch, Molly Maher, Alex Levingston and David Fitzpatrick.

Front page story this week in THE GOREY ECHO.