Glasgow's Irish community to be celebrated with St Roch's performance
The All-Ireland Football Championship is one of the country's biggest sporting events and Croke Park will be sold out with more than 82,000 people in attendance.
The invitation was made by the GAA to honour the Irish community in Scotland in as part of the 850 celebrations and spotlight 'County Glasgow' on Ireland's biggest stage.
The semi-finalists are yet to be decided but it could include the Donegal team, which is the county in Ireland where many members of the band have strong connections too.
Roisin Anne Hughes, band leader, said: 'Croke Park is one of the most iconic venues in Irish life. We're looking forward to enjoying the occasion, performing with pride, and representing the Glasgow Irish community on this remarkable stage.'
Roisin Anne Hughes is the band leader (Image: Robert Perry)
Mairead MacNeil, band member, added: 'It's been an unforgettable year. We hosted our own concert at Celtic Connections, led the Glasgow and London St. Patrick's Festival Parades, and played for the Donegal and Tyrone Masters in Clydebank. Winning the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Wexford was a huge honour — and now to play in Croke Park is the perfect ending to a year we'll never forget.
'We're incredibly grateful to our families, our community, and everyone who has supported us across the years and especially this year. Particular thanks go to Consul General Jerry O'Donovan, Jenn Treacy and Jarlath Burns of the GAA, and to Frank McArdle and the teachers at the Irish Minstrels Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann who empowered us through music over multiple generations'
The performance will serve as a celebration of the Irish community's contribution to Glasgow and Scotland from the days of An Gorta Mór to the present day and as well as the marching band, will showcase the development of the GAA in Scotland.
The Glasgow Irish community has produced All-Ireland champions and finalists across every field of Irish cultural life - and continues to inspire and thrive today.
Jennifer Treacy, Chair of Scotland GAA, said: 'We are incredibly proud of this historic moment for All-Ireland Champions St Roch's Marching Band. This milestone not only celebrates the vibrant Irish community and diaspora throughout Glasgow and Scotland but also strengthens the bonds between our two nations through shared cultural heritage.
'With the Diaspora Consultation beginning in July and the Pearse Park Centre for Culture and Sport in development, this is a significant step toward a permanent home for Irish culture in Scotland'.
Jerry O'Donovan, The Irish Consul General for Scotland added: 'I am delighted that the St Roch's Marching Band have been asked to perform during half time at the All-Ireland Football Semi-Final in the 82,000 seat headquarters of the GAA, Croke Park. It is a huge honour for any group to perform at this very special venue, and for a group outside of Ireland to be asked is a particularly special achievement.
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'This invitation from GAA headquarters is a testament that the work of St Roch's, and more broadly Comhaltas in Scotland, have carried out in promoting Irish music and culture in Scotland.
'This performance speaks to the strong community links between Scotland and Ireland which continue to grow from strength to strength as well as the vibrant musical and cultural scene that currently exists within the Irish community in Glasgow as it marks its 850th anniversary. I wish the band the very best and look forward to tuning in next month.'
Katy McNeil Head of Scottish Government Office in Ireland said: 'The Scottish Government Office in Ireland was thrilled to hear of St Roch's Marching Band's success in the All-Ireland Fleadh last year.
'It is an honour for St Roch's, for Glasgow and for Scotland, that they are the first band from outside Ireland to play at the iconic Croke Park for the GAA All Ireland Senior Football Semi-Final.
'It is a fitting way to celebrate the close cultural links between Scotland and Ireland, and the Glasgow 850 celebrations. We look forward to welcoming the band to Dublin in July.'
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