Founded in Arklow Co. Wicklow, Ireland 1968, this band has an unusual history. Its first conductor, Michael Byrne, had established a very successful boy’s choir. This later became a mixed voice choir before he eventually decided to form a town band, despite having relatively little experience of brass tuition. From such humble origins the band gradually developed and by 1972 began to compete in the lower sections of the Irish Championships, eventually winning the Championship section in 1981.

From 1977 to 1990 the band travelled twice annually to England to compete in the Pontins Championships in both Southport and Prestatyn. Starting in the 4th Section the Band progressed through the ranks to the 2nd Section over the years.

The band appeared at the Rose of Tralee in 1971 and 1972.

In 1987, John Bonner became musical director. The band has been very successful in both concerts and contests. In 2006 the band won the National Brass Band title for an unprecedented seven times in a row. This achievement is unprecedented in the Irish Brass Band movement

The Band Quartet are also the current Irish Quartet Champions and they have also recently won the Arklow Music Festival. Individual members of the band have won numerous Solo competitions in the Arklow Music Festival over the years.

The Band has recorded three albums to date and provided a backing track for 'Red Hill Mining Town' on U2's album "The Joshua Tree"”. It has broadcast on TV (The Late Late Show, Trom agus Eadtrom, etc.) and radio (RTE 1, BBC & Lyric FM), including the BBC’s “Listen to the Band” series and RTE’s Bandstand series.  In 2005 the Band featured in the Nationwide program and this can been see on the Band’s website. We also appeared on The View in 2009.

In September 2002 the Band was very fortunate to have Arklow Shipping Ltd. become its main sponsor who succeeded Armitage Shank who were the Band sponsors for many years. This sponsor money helps with the day-to-day running of the Band.

The band made its seventh appearance in 2007 at the European Brass Band Championships, representing Arklow and Ireland, in Belfast. They have also competed in Glasgow, Groningen in Holland, Bergen in Norway, Brussels in Belgium (where the band were placed 2nd), Montreux in Switzerland and Kerkrade in Holland.

Recent appearances on Lyric FM have further enhanced the popularity of the band and they were invited to play at a Garden Part for President Mary McAlesse in Arus on Uchtaran on the 9th July 2005.

In 2008 James MacCafferty was appointed Musical Director of the Band, taking over from the long serving John Bonner, and with his vast “brass” experience the future looks very bright for the Band.

Also in 2008 Derek Broadbent became Honorary President of the band. Derek is most famous for arranging the Floral Dance which were big hits for both the Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band and Terry Wogan in the late 1970’s. It is a great honour to have such a prestigious person associated with the band.

In 2009 Michal Hannan was appointed Associate Conductor of the Band. Michael is well known in the Brass Band world for his association with the world famous Black Dyke Mills Band.

On the 4th July 2009 the band picked up a hat-trick of wins at the 30th South of Ireland Band Championships which took place in Clonakilty Co. Cork. They won the best overall band of the Championships, the best Brass section and the best Bass section.

The band released a Christmas CD “Brass at Christmas” in December 2009 and it was very well received. The CD contains many Christmas favourites.

In February 2010 Dick Lyons, a long time member of the band was appointed Resident Conductor. Dick has a vast knowledge of the Brass Band world and he first started playing a brass instrument in his native Carrick-on-Suir as a young boy.

In May 2010 James MacCafferty resigned as Musical Director of the Band for personal reasons and the band appointed Brendan Breslin as their new Musical Director.

The Band gives numerous indoor and outdoor performances every year details of which can be found on the Diary Page of the Band’s website.

There is a very active learner’s Class which helps teach people to learn how to read music and play a brass instrument prior to them moving into the Senior Band.

The Band has a very active and informative website where there is a vast amount of information, photos and music of the band. The address is: -

www.ArklowSilverBand.com

The Band are always looking for new members especially experienced musicians who may want to try their hand at a brass instrument.