The members and friends of the Lourdes Brass Band are mourning the loss of their long standing Conductor, President, Musical advisor and lifelong friend Mr. Harry Kelly.

It was with great sadness that we heard of Harry’s passing on Sunday 17th Jan 2021 and we send our deepest sympathies to the Kelly family.

Harry’s long association with the Lourdes Brass Band, Drogheda had begun in 1990, when he took over as the Bands Musical Director. Under his stewardship the Band enjoyed many successes, winning titles in all the major Band events.

However the loss that the Band are feeling for Harry is much more personal than the loss of a Musical Director. All through his 31 year association he always took the time to mentor and nurture each members musical skills and indeed became somewhat of a father figure and role model for each Band member.

Harry had passed over the Musical Director role of the Lourdes Brass Band in 2013, but remained a very strong member of the Band and always made his vast musical knowledge available to all. 2013 also saw Harry being honored with the role of Lourdes Band President. Always eager to help young musicians Harry conducted the Lourdes Youth Band to a fine performance in the most recent South of Ireland band Championships.

Harry’s passing will be felt by the entire Banding community of Ireland, as he had enjoyed relationships with many of the Bands throughout the country over the years, Mullingar Town Band, Clondalklin Band, Drogheda Brass Band, Ardee Concert Band and Dublin Concert Band to name a few. The current Musical Director of the Lourdes Brass Band Mr Gavin Warren led the flood of tributes “Harry’s loss will be felt throughout the Irish banding scene, and all of us at the Lourdes Brass Band will miss him on a very personal level. Our sympathies are with his family”.

Harry Kelly.

R.I.P.

The lifetime of Music you made will play on for many years.