CWU BAND

ts. We normally require at least a month’s notice for any engagement. The longer the notice, the better. There is no set fee, but we welcome any donation towards expenses of transporting instruments, maintaining instruments and library, and provision of uniforms. CWU Band has a long and proud tradition as Ireland's premier Trade Union Brass and Reed Band. The band was founded by postal workers during the period prior to the foundation of the State when there was massive growth in the organisation of 'unskilled' workers into Trade Unions. The exact date of the foundation of the band is hard to verify but they were in existence prior to 1916 as all their instruments were destroyed in the GPO during the Easter Rising. There is a freely available record in the National Archives detailing a claim for £211, 15 shillings and sixpence for damages to instruments in the G.P.O as a result of fire during the “Disturbances” of Easter week 1916, that small ill-fated rebellion which gave rise to the Irish War of Independence and subsequent formation of an Irish Free State. For the last century the Post Office Workers Union Band has provided the beat to which many workers marched as they demonstrated against injustice or commemorated past heroes and events. The Irish trade union movement in general and the Post Office group of unions in particular has changed with the times and with the amalgamation and consolidation of the many unions the band’s name has become the current Communications Workers Union Band.