‘Senseless attack’ on Cullyhanna Band Hall

By a local correspondent

Cullyhanna Band hall fire

THE destruction of the Band Hall in Cullyhanna in Christmas week was an absolutely senseless attack that has deprived the entire community of a fantastic facility.

Thousands of pounds’ worth of new musical instruments and uniforms belonging to the band were destroyed in the fire at the premises on the Tullinavall Road, which was discovered in the early hours of Tuesday, December 21^st.  Fire crews from Crossmaglen, Newtownhamilton, Newry and Keady were called on to tackle the blaze, which completely gutted the two-storey building.

Other valuable contents included a multimedia system, sports equipment and irreplaceable items such as photographs and trophies.  There were also pool tables, table tennis tables, karoke equipment and a range of recreational equipment available for children to use during the games evenings.  These were all destroyed.

The aftermath of the fire

St Patrick’s Youth Band of Cullyhanna is an accordion and tin whistle band that was formed in 1975 and had always practised in the old portacabin on the site for years.  The portacabin had become very dilapidated and the committee vowed that they would work to build our very own premises on site.

The new facility, which was built in 2007 entirely through voluntary labour, has been the pride and joy of all those involved.  The fantastic multimedia system was used for the cinema nights and also by agencies giving presentations on child protection courses, drug awareness etc.

St Patrick’s Youth Band used the hall each Wednesday night to practice and music lessons are available. Other activities included games nights, cinema nights, Irish-language classes, drama groups, and line dancing classes with our very own World Champion line dancer, Fiona Murray. There were also Ceili dancing classes held here also and it was a very child-friendly community orientated facility.

All of these classes will be rehoused in alternative accommodation until the hall is rebuilt.  There were also a wide range of charity functions held in the Band Hall which included fancy dress, cowboy nights, an evening with the Jackson 5, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jessica Simpson etc and in excess of £100, 000 was raised for charities such as Meningitis Research, The Children’s Ward Daisy Hill, The Haiti Appeal and there was one to be held in the near future for the Alzheimer’s Association.

Chairperson Felix Toner says the destruction of the hall is a major setback to the band and he is at a loss as to why anyone would destroy such an asset to the small community in Cullyhanna.

It took an enormous amount of hard work and fund-raising to get the band hall up and running and it has proved to be a valuable asset to the village since it was built in 2007.

This attack is soul-destroying and a major blow to community life here.

Before the blaze: Santa brings some joy to local children

On Sunday, December 19th, just two days before the attack, Santa Claus arrived to the band hall to distribute presents to the local children.  It was a fantastic day and there was a disco, arts and crafts for the children, mulled wine for the parents, mince pies, tea and sandwiches for everyone to enjoy and a fun day was had by all who attended. On arrival of Santa Claus the whole crowd rose to their feet to sing Jingle Bells as Santa entered the building.  It was a very memorable day.

Voicing his condemnation, Councillor Colman Burns added:

The people of Cullyhanna are really outraged at what has been done to the band hall.  This was the work of criminals and this is the way in which the people who carried out this attack are viewed by local people.  What makes this even worse is that the band had instruments and memorabilia stored in the hall, some of which can never be replaced.

Obviously this latest attack is another failed attempt by this gang to create tension and fear.  As with other attacks on this community over the years, it will not be successful.  This gang must realise that this community is strong and resilient and refuses to be intimidated by thugs.

Band committee members have spoken of their heartbreak at witnessing the destruction caused by the attack and local politicians have described it as “an attack on the whole community”.

Mr Toner paid tribute to the support the committee and those closely associated with the hall have received since the fire.  He thanked St Patrick’s GFC and Mr Pat O’Hanlon, Principal of St Patrick’s Primary School, for their offers of the use of their premises.

We have been inundated with messages of support, which has been overwhelming, and we are extremely grateful to everyone.