Cork Butter Exchange Band
est. 1878
"Da Buttera"
Origins
The Cork Butter Exchange Brass & Reed Band was established in 1878, with no surviving records from the 1800’s and it is difficult to know how the band came into being. Many of the older band members would contend that it was indeed in existence before 1878 but with no written record from this period. The band’s history before this time remains clouded.
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Records show that a band did exist in the Shandon area before 1878.
A reference in the Cork Examiner refers to a band in 1841, this band was known as St. Mary’s Band and begins the journey of The Butter Exchange Band, but as a result of the Famine this band fell apart. In 1850 a priest by the name of Fr. Mac Namara come to the North Cathedral.
With his help the band was once again reformed and continued for many years under his musical direction. Known locally as Mac Namara’s Band.
When Fr. Mac Namara moved to a different parish the band changed back to its original name of St. Mary’s Band and in 1878 the local Butter Market became the sponsors of the band, hence the name “The Butter Exchange Brass & Reed Band” known locally as the “The Buttera”.
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Down through the years band has taken part in many historical events, The Buttera played at the graveside of Charles Stuart Parnell on the occasion of the first anniversary of his death in 1892.
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Also around this time The Buttera were playing at a band engagement in Mallow where a member of the Royal family was present, when the baton was raised by the Conductor instead of playing “God Save The Queen” the band struck up an Irish air. Imagine this happening at the Royal visit in 2011? During the 1900’s band members owned their own uniform, this uniform was a military style tunic with piping down the side of the trousers and a pill box hat, when bandsmen fell on hard times money was given to tide them over and members were given money if they lost a days pay to play with The Band.
In May 1910 the Band while marching down Shandon St. with the Quary Lane & Blackpool Band, who were supporters of John Redmond and William O’Brien. They got involved in a fight with the Parnell Guards who were based in the Shandon St. area, this resulted in instruments been tossed into the River Lee and band members been injured. Band rooms were broken into and instruments either stolen or damaged. Unfortunately like most families and institutions in that era most of there men ended up fighting together in World War I.
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When the band went on outings in 1931 it was decided by the committee that 3 gallons of beer would be sufficient for such outings and temperate men received a double pack of cigarettes.
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In the 1940’s many new young members were recruited from the North Mon and a number came from Green Mount School, these schools were well known for their bands and the Buttera was fortunate to get these players who were already trained musicians.
In the 1950’s the biggest event was the Corpus Christi Procession which the band has lead each year since it first began. Another event was the Manchester Martyrs March, this begin at the Court house and continued to the Grand Parade where the last post was played. Across from this paragraph is a photograph of an actual Quotation from The Cork Butter Exchange Brass & Reed Band to play at the Old Fianna Éireann March on Easter Monday 1956 for the sum of £5. One wonders how much this would be worth today?
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In 1963 when President John F. Kennedy visited Cork City Hall, the band preformed Irish marches on Mc Swiney Quay. (Albert Quay).
As well as the musicians and committee members the band also had another very important group of members. They are the non-playing members and around the 1960s were known as Baggagemen. Before that there were known as Carriagemen. They had a very important role in the everyday running of the band by helping in any way they could. This most often involved carrying instruments, stands, chairs, music etc. and were very loyal to the band. Unfortunately we no longer have any non-playing members in the band and the musicians now have to march with their own instruments!
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Over the years many bandsmen became involved in Show Bands. The Dolly Butler Dance Band, The Dixies, The Circles, Skyliners, The Dukes of Jazz and Milford to name but a few.
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One of the most dedicated members of the band down through the years was Mick Cronin. Mick joined the band in the 1940’s and continued as a loyal member of the band for over 50 years. Mick was always especially appreciated for his kindness towards new members.
New Beginnings
For many years the band was an all male band, from time to time in the 1970s a lady by the name of Miss O’Connor could be seen playing with the band. In 1978 the first official female member Patricia Coleman Harrington was allowed to join the band. She was later followed by Laura Field and then Veronica Lynch. Today almost half of the band is made up of female members.
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In 1984 the Band decided to take on a new sponsor Murphy's Brewey Ltd. From as far back as 1971 there were good ties between the Band and workers in the Brewery. With this new sponsorship came new uniforms (now the iconic Maroon colour of the Band) and new instruments. The Band once again changed its name to "The Murphy's Butter Exchange Band".
In 1993 the Band participated in the first Massed Bands of Cork City Concert. This included St. Nicholas Brass Band, The Cork Barrack's Street Band and Mayfield Brass Band. The concert was a great success and the successing years enjoyed bigger productions and larger audiences.
1995 was a big year for the Band. It was marked by a historic trip to Kingscourt Co. Cavan. Here the Band was hosted by St. Mary's Brass & Reed Band who where excellent hosts. The Band was given a tour of Doonaree and The Mountains of Mourne. The trip was a great success and saw both bands perform at a joint concert with a massed bands recital at the end.
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Also in this year the Band was forced to leave it's historic home on John Redmond Street as the Band was no longer able to get insurance cover as there was flammable substances being stored under the Bandroom. The Cork Arts Committee offered support to paid the lease for the Band to rehearse in The Firkin Crane while a more suitable room could be found. In September 1995 the official opening of the new Bandroom at 48 Dominic St. was held in The Firkin Crane Centre. St. Mary's Brass & Reed Band were invited back down to Cork for the grand opening and made this historic ocassion extra special.