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The Black Skull Corps of Fife and Drums party travelled from Belfast to Drogheda in the Irish Republic to visit the famous battle site and have the honour to perform the first ever concert on the battle field of the boyne at the newly opened battlefield Heritage site
The party arrived at the Boyne battle field at 12 noon, for our visitation of this historical site and our first concert in the South of Ireland. The visit encompassed an tour of Old bridge House with its wonderful paintings and historical artefacts, followed by various visual displays and film shows depicting how the Battle of the Boyne was fought and won, in July 1st 1690 by the Williamite forces.
The party viewed period canons and replica gun mountings and various types of guns, muskets and armoury used on the battlefields. This was followed by field craft display of various guns and bombs used, then a battle field show,encompassing a horseman in full period cavalry uniform, displaying the techniques and skills used in battle by the horse troops and cavalry when riding and engaged in Battle. This was truly first class horsemanship on display.After the site tour, the band members changed into our corp. of drum uniform, recently purchased from for the 2008 celebrations for our concert on the battlefeild site.
The Boyne Heritage Centre staff laid out a staged area with seating provided for our party,But due to the numbers waiting to hear the band more seats were required and these were instantly provided. you couldn't have scripted it any better, a glorious day with beautiful sunshine, sitting in front of Old bridge House on the historical battle site with our family and friends.
We started our set with the seated audience in place and many tourists from all over the world, walking about taking photographs.
Mr. William Young, our band conductor introduced the band and started the concert with the band playing The American Army Marine band favourite "Semperfidelis" by Sousa.This was followed by "More Than a Band" a march written for Black Skull in 2007.
We followed on with "Captain Nicholls" the famous Grenadier guard tune. then "The Defence" by HB Bailly. and then onto some lively wee numbers by WH Turpin "Over the Hills" and "McGregor Frae Greenock". Following the military marches we went straight into our traditional compositions with "Echoes of the Twelfth", "Dolly's Braes" then "The Orangemen's Melody air" which has both “The Sash my father wore” and “Derry's Walls” included in this loyal traditional Orange ditty. Our conductor thanked everyone in the assembled audience for the wonderful response given to the band and informed them, as is tradition with Black Skull, the band would play our National anthem ~"God Save The Queen" This was special to play and hear sung in the Republic Of Ireland
The band took time to get their photos taken and band members where asked to stand for photos with tourists and visitors, Some of the local people commented to us that “it was great to see a band from Scotland over”
The whole day was wonderful for two main reasons; it was a dream come true for us to visit the River Boyne, But being able to play
on the battle field in full unifrom on such a glourous day was something special to us all.
 Black Skull wish to thank Mr Martin and all his staff for their courtesy and help that they extended to us on this wonderful day. and not forgetting our families and our friends from all over Ulster who made the journey to the Republic of Ireland. last but not least, every member of Black Skull for their attendace on this “another milestone for the band" and for being the 1st band in modern History to play on the sweet Boyne side.
 

A Limited special edition commemorative colour print of this event(shown above)is available for purchase.
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