This year Bands of Ireland is excited to give a special performance opportunity to Irish and international bands and to help us virtually celebrate our national holiday

Where would we be without our marching bands, a staple of each and every parade?

Nobody knows better than us that Community Bands are at the heart of St. Patrick's Festival and central to music education and performance in towns and cities across Ireland.

But with band rehearsals suspended across the country for almost 12 months, many of the marching bands have found themselves without an outlet for creative stimulation.

In response Bands of Ireland put out the call to the nation, and the world, for musicians to don their stripes and join in a special St. Patrick's Festival virtual performance.

Now the instruments are being dusted off, the uniforms are being starched and pressed because we have created 5 super-groups, the Marching Bands of Ireland, and The World!, who have been collaborating remotely to bring us these stunning collective performances.

See performances from Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster, plus a collection of international bands playing a selection of traditional and contemporary arrangements of some of your favourite tunes.

Commissioned by St. Patrick's Festival