'And the band played on' in Leopardstown

Instruments glistening with rain, clothes whipped by piercing wind, a booming brass band in full cry and, for a moment, it was almost like a St Patrick's Day parade.

On a bitterly cold morning, 10 US marching bands lined out for Bandfest, a private competition hastily arranged at Dublin's Leopardstown racecourse. The event was organised by Bord Fáilte to compensate, in some small way, those who had travelled to celebrate St Patrick's Day in Ireland.

The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr Jim McDaid, wished the performers a "Céad Míle Fáilte" on what he described as a rather inclement St Patrick's Day.

He was joined in welcoming the performers by Dublin's Lord Mayor, Mr Maurice Ahern, who paid tribute to Bord Fáilte and Mr Frank Magee, head of Dublin Tourism, for organising the event at such short notice.

The bands lined up just after 10.30 a.m. for a 90-minute display of marching, dancing and the delicate art of playing an instrument while marching around corners.

Ms Elise Crull, (18), a drum major from the Greeley High School Marching Band from Colorado was with the first band to perform. Making her first visit to Ireland, she was sorry that no crowds would see their performance and added she hopes to return for a full parade.

Next up were the Delaware Fire Department Band. Mr Art Ricker, treasurer, said the band had been going for 53 years and included fire department members, students who hoped to become firefighters and members of the community.

Resplendent in beefeater hats, the 30 members of the Fort Lauderdale Police Pipes and Drums strode past the judges stand.

They were soon followed by the 24-strong 2nd Time Rounders from St Petersburg, Florida. Lined up in front of the main stand and gleaming in their white uniforms the band - aged 8 to 93 - gave an exuberant display of dancing and cheerleadering.

They were followed by the Michigan Twirlers and Stony Creek performers who preceded the 130 members of the Chapparel High School Marching Band.

Then came the overall winners of the events, The Jack C Hays High School Band, from Austin, Texas, with over 200 band members. During the medal ceremony, the band Director Mr Jerry Babbitt said the visit to Ireland was one of the highlights of his 16-year involvement.

Despite the cancellation of the parade, trips to Ennistymon and the Blarney Castle had made the trip a huge success.

Finally, there were the 180 members of the Georgia Tech band who showed remarkable forethought in wearing long, bright yellow raincoats.

St Patrick himself made a guest appearance at the prizegiving ceremony and was ably assisted by his faithful leprechaun.

And before the end of the event, the Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, just back from a visit to the US, arrived to give his St Patrick's Day greeting to the performers and express his hope that a national celebration will take place in early June.

Go n'eirigh an t'áth leat ar lá Féile Pádraig.