Marching to our own rythmn 

The colour guard adopts the use of flags and equipment along with dance, to enhance the story-telling aspects of the theme.

Generally, in autumn, the band will choose a theme for the following year, and decide on the music to feature.  The music will then be custom-arranged for the players, and while they begin learning this during the winter months, the drill is written.  Things move outdoors once weather improves, and the drill is learned, and choreography added, often with rehearsals every night of the week.  The competitive season runs throughout the summer months, with numerous contests throughout the country against different bands, culminating in the Irish finals at the end of the summer.

The marching unit of Banna Chluain Meala goes under the name "Clonmel Bluehawks". The “Bluehawks” have gained huge respect in Ireland, having taken the title of Irish Champions an unmatched 12 times, including a record 5-in-a-row between 1995 and 1999, often going through undefeated seasons, and winning every caption and sub-caption along the way.   The final event of the league each season took place in Clonmel, which was always one of the highlight events of the calendar for bands from all over Ireland.

They have also enjoyed great success overseas.  In 1994, the Bluehawks finished as winners in the showband section at the British Youth Band Championships in London’s Wembley Arena, a high-profile event that brings together the best bands from various associations in the UK and Ireland (the band equivalent of the Champions League!).  They have also competed in the BYBA finals in the NEC, Birmingham, and performed to great acclaim throughout Europe and North America.

A special acknowledgement goes out to each of our field commanders and drill instructors over the years. We would also like to thank Eoin O'Keeffe, Declan O'Keeffe, & Fergal Carroll for their creative input in writing most of the musical arrangements for many of our successful field shows.

For the hundreds of members who took part, these summers in the field were a defining part of their youth, and are remembered fondly.