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about the gaelic column

Together with music, poetry was an integral part of ancient Gaelic culture. Bards, together with harpers and pipers, were held in high esteem by the Gaels and their poems celebrating mythical heroes, kings, important events, and love, have enriched the world's literature beyond measure.

It was this sentiment that brought together the Boston Police Gaelic Column's founding members in 1992 on the tragic occasion of a brother Police Officer's death. Officer Jeremiah Hurley, a member of the department's Ordnance Disposal Unit (bomb squad), was killed in the line of duty while defusing an explosive device. At the time of Officer Hurley's funeral there were no police bagpipe bands anywhere in New England, and the New York Transit Police pipe band was called on to play. On that day the seeds were sown that were to become the Boston Police Gaelic Column.

The first meeting to organize the Column was held at the famous Doyle's Cafe in Jamaica Plain. With more than ninety Officers in attendance, the Gaelic Column was becoming a reality. Pipe and drum instructors were hired, uniforms were chosen, and rehearsals soon followed. Unlike some cities that boast as many as fifteen local "police" pipe bands, the Gaelic Column was the the only police pipe band in New England at that time.

Within a year of that first meeting, Boston Police Officer Thomas Rose was struck down in the line of duty. The Rose family requested the Gaelic Column play at his funeral. Overnight air couriers delivered new kilts and uniforms. Then in single digit temperatures, the Column solemnly piped down Officer Thomas Rose, our first of many police officer funerals.

With this inspired beginnings, the Gaelic Column came together to perform at various cultural events and parades around Boston. Each member is expected to attend band rehearsal for four hours. that is once a week and on his or her own time. During the week members are required to practice alone on their own time and must purchase their own instruments, uniforms, and supplies.

As a result of this dedication, the band has exceeded anyone's expectations. Although we are often remembered for our performances at many police funerals over the years, the band has won awards and recognition locally and overseas. In the 1996 Cork City St. Patrick's Day Parade, Ireland, The Column earned the Patrick J. Murphy Trophy for best pipe band in the parade. The following year, on March 17th, 1997, again in Cork City the Gaelic Column won the top honor awarded: the Best Entry in Parade trophy. Neither trophy had ever been previously awarded to an American band. In 1998 the Column performed aboard the U.S.S. Constitution on its 200th birthday sail.

The Column has seen many milestones since its modest beginnings, but of ours finest moments was in September 1999 with a spectacular performance at the opening and closing ceremonies of golf's great rivalry, the Ryder Cup at the Country Club in Brookline. The estimated size of the viewing audience was 45 million viewers worldwide. The hard work that went into that performance was evident in the band's sound, and the feedback from the PGA, Ryder Cup Organizing Committee, The Country Club and NBC Sports was tremendous.

The year 2000 was another memorable one for the Column. A trip to Ireland in March for Patrick's Day in Cork City and the dedication of the Captain Francis O'Neil Statue and the festival grounds in Bantry was another great experience. In early July the Column went aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. John F. Kennedy to play the opening ceremonies of the Tall Ships 2000 celebration, held in Boston Harbor. The band went on after the ceremonies to play aboard the Irish Navy vessel; L. E. Eithne, visiting the port of Boston for the occasion.

The band has performed with Boston native Joey McIntire of "New Kids on the Block" at the Esplanade and has opened for the Dropkick Murphy's during their St. Patrick's week at Avalon in Boston for the last 4 years. The Column has performed at Boston Bruin great Terry O'Reilly's retirement at the Garden and the Boston Celtics playoffs games. Plus the band has a small track on Dropkick Murphy's live CD.

The dedication and pride of our members in the profession, music, and tradition have been extraordinary through the years. The military style uniform, accented by the solid navy blue kilt, has a look that is unique in the piping world and is meaningful to our members as police officers. There is no mistaking the Gaelic Column badge, the police colors, and the police insignia.