In October 2010, the Pipes and Drums of the
Edmonton Police Service traveled to Northern Ireland to close an important
chapter in the history of the police service and to complete a story about
immigration to Alberta. The band visited and performed in a number of towns and
villages and traced the roots of thirty-five young men from in Northern Ireland
and the Republic of Ireland. They all left the Royal Ulster Constabulary in
November and December 1952 and traveled
by ship across the Atlantic and then by
rail to join the ranks of the Edmonton Police Force, as it was known then.
The pipe band performed at the Police Service of Northern
Ireland headquarters in Belfast, then traveled and performed at other locations,
to delighted audiences, throughout Northern Ireland. During the visit the pipe
band enjoyed the hospitality, took the opportunity to view the countryside,
visited many of the famous attractions and needless to say developed a liking
for Guinness.
The photo at the top was taken in front of Dunluce Castle on the
County Antrim coast. The black and white photos are from the ships that the RUC
members were on when they emigrated to Canada in 1952. Click on the photos to
enlarge.
To see more
photos from the trip, please scroll down.
Click on a photo to view it full size then hit the Back button to
return to this page. Please be patient as the photos are high quality and take
some time to load. Scroll down for more photos and short
description of each.
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The photos
article on the left are from the November 2010 issue of the PSNI Police
Service Gazette. You can click on the photos to enlarge or
click here to download a PDF
version suitable for printing or emailing. |
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Tuning up in Ormeau Park in Belfast, NI |
PSNI
HQ in Belfast |
Playing in the Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Garden
(George Cross is awarded for an act of the greatest heroism or the most
conspicuous courage, in circumstances of extreme danger) |
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The memorial recognizes the loss of over 300 serving RUC
officers and 20 former members who died as a result of terrorism during
Ireland's civil unrest. |
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The Garden also includes the names of another 960 RUC members
who died in service between 1922 and 2001. |
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The Garden includes a History Trail in addition to the Area
of Peace. |
PSNI
present plaque to Pipes and Drums |
Exchanging plaques with members of the RUC George Cross Foundation |
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Relaxing at Pat's Bar in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, prior
to entertaining the crowd. |
Town
Hall in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh |
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Council chambers in Enniskillen Town Hall |
Receiving plaque from Chairman of Town Council |
Playing in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh |
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Marching from Town Hall in Enniskillen to Enniskillen Castle |
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Playing at Eniskillen Castle, County Fermangh |
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Playing in Irvinestown, County Fermanagh |
Group in front of Lough Erne at Killyhevlin Hotel,
Enniskillen |
Eniskillen Castle from Lough Erne |
Tour
of Lough Erne on PSNI police boat |
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Mementos from the Police Charity and Welfare Association in
Fermanagh |
Band at the original RUC Training Depot |
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| Band
at the original RUC Training Depot |
Lakeside Lounge at PSNI HQ in Eniskillen |
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Playing at Down Residential Project in Downpatrick, County
Down |
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Making new friends at Down Residential Project in Downpatrick |
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Making new friends at Down Residential Project in Downpatrick |
Entertaining students from St Mary’s High School, Downpatrick
Primary School and Knockevin Special School in the garden of the St Patrick
Centre, Downpatrick, County Down |
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Downpatrick council makes presentation |
Down
Cathedral and St. Patrick's Grave in Downpatrick, County Down |
Playing for the students at Bushmill's Primary School &
presenting them with a Canadian flag |
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Bradshaw presenting a plaque to the principal |
Interacting with the students |
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Dunluce castle with Friends of the Band, Kieran and Ruth Kelly |
Relaxing at our hotel in Portrush, County Antrim |
Presentation to our friends in Portrush |
Our
last performance in Northern Ireland at Portrush |
