History

This account is based on the article written by Seamus O'Brien for the Skibbereen and District Historical Society Journal.

The story of St.Fachtna's Silverband began in 1912 when it was established by Gerald Joseph Macaura, who was, in fact, born in Skibbereen. Gerald had a full set of 40 "Bessons" instruments manufactured and also engaged Mr.Chipchase to teach and conduct the band.
In a bid to provide ongoing funds for the upkeep of St.Fachtna's Silverband, Mr.Macaura built one of the first cinemas in the south of Ireland - the "Kinemac" located at the rural end of Ilen St. Even though this did not prove a success, Mr.Macaura continued to support the band from his own recources for many years.

Under bandmaster Joseph Chipchase, the band practiced every night in a store room at the back of Jackie Levis's chemist shop in Main Street.. He was extraordibarily dedicated to the band, throwing himself wholeheartedly into the full-time job of conducting and coordinating.
Each Sunday there was a march in the Skibbereen area followed by a recital at the square.

One of the highlights of the band's year was to play in the Square to ring in the New Year.
They marched, quite frequently during the summer months, from Skibbereen to Lough Ine, to play on the front lawn of Dr.Macaura's house. Along the route, they gathered a long, enthusiastic crocodile of spectators, who also gathered around to hear the recital. Later in the day, the band marched back to Skibbereen, playing all the way.

In 1914, the beginning of WW1 seems to mark the band's first slide into depression and the instruments were placed in the Munster & Leinster Bank for safe-keeping, and remained there for many years.

It was revived by some of the older members many of whom had become involved in the Catholic Young Men's Society, which later took over the band. This did not meet with universal approval because of its strict policy of non-involvement in Politics.

Conductors of St.Fachtna's Silver Band since its foundation

        J.Chipchase            1912         

A.Atterton              1927

A.Moan                  1930

A.Carrol                 1931

M.O'Callaghan       1939

J.O'Donovan           1941

D.Twomey              1944

Br.Hillary                1950

G.Hanley                 1953

M.Egan                    1955
E.O'Gorman             1959
T.Tyrell                    1968
C.O'Donovan           1977
D.Nolan                   1977
J.Leonard                 1986
P.O'Driscoll              1992
S.J.Cotter                 1996
B.Prendergast            2000
 G.O'Driscoll              2002
H.Addy                     2011

                                                              F. O'Connor               2014

                                                              K. Millar                   2016
                                                             M. Long                     2017

                                                             P.O'Driscoll                2018

                                                             A.Hanly                      2019