Band of the Irish Guards

Formed in 1900 on the expressed wish of HM Queen Victoria to commemorate the bravery of the many Irish Regiments who fought in the South African campaigns, the Irish Guards now includes 49 musicians. The Band's main duty is to play, in turn with the other 4 Foot Guards Bands, for the Mounting of The Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace and for State ceremonial occasions and public duties such as Investitures, State Visits, Royal Weddings, Guards of Honour, Royal Garden Parties and, of course, The Queen's Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour).

There is a fine tradition in the British Army of bands providing musical support to troops on active service. It engenders a unique espirit-de-corps and during both World Wars the Band regularly travelled to active service areas in order to give morale-boosting performances to the troops. During World War II in particular, the commitments of the Band had so intensified that its strength was increased to 65 musicians.