The Barracka Buttera Song

By Richard T. Cooke

Cork's own Barrack Street Band and Butter Exchange Band are synonymous with the sound of Shandon Bells, the Echo Boys, the Shawlies up the Coal Quay, imprinted in the hearts and minds of each and every Corkonian at home and abroad.

The Barracka

The Barrack Street Band, affectionately known as the 'Barracka' was officially founded as a temperance band by Fr. Theobald Matthew in 1837. During the early years, the band, which was the main attraction of his temperance society, was situated at No. 1 Barrack Street.

When weather permitted, the band would march the ill-paved, dim, gas-lit thoroughfares of Cork by night, playing inspirational airs, accompanied by a large following of temperance supporters parading in torch light procession in order to give hope to those who had lost their way.

As the years rolled by, the band and its society became one of the strongest temperance and politically motivated institutes in Ireland.

They achieved musical excellence due to the training and guidance of the military bandsmen from the nearby military barracks, Elizabeth Fort and they went on to win many brass and reed band contests.

The Barracka is an integral part of the cultural fabric of Cork and has continued to make a significant contribution to the musical life of the city. The band performs regularly at civic, cultural, sacred and sporting events in Cork City and County as well as at concerts, public recitals and community events at home and abroad. The band has travelled to Wales, Manchester and also performed at the Menin Gate (Ypres) and the Island of Ireland Peace Park (Mesene) in Belgium.

The band had been invited to play in next year's St. Patrick's Day Procession in Savannah, Georgia, USA which represents another great honour in its distinguished history.

The Barracka is very proud of its educational programme over the years which include the provision ofoutreach modules in Local primary and secondary schools and are looking forward to further develop these links with the proceeds of this unique souvenir CD.

The Barracka have had many colourful conductors over the years such as Paddy O'Callaghan and his son, Billy and up to the present conductor, Capt. Brian Prendergast.

The Buttera

The Butter Exchange Band, affectionately known as the Buttera was established in 1878, however records show that the band existed in the area of Shandon Street, a great commercial centre, before this time and was known as St Mary's Band. This band disbanded during the famine times but was restarted by Fr. McNamara.

Therefore the band can claim that it was originally McNamara's band.

During the second half of the nineteenth century, like the Barracka, the band would parade through the cobblestoned gas-lit streets and lanes of Cork giving inspiration to many poverty stricken souls.

Many of the band members were employees of the Butter Exchange which was part of the commercial heart of Cork City. Thus in time the band became known as the Butter Exchange Brass and Reed Band and went on to win many great brass and reed competitions.

Their proud history tells us that they performed with the Barrack Street Band in the Cork Industrial Exhibition of 1901/1902 up the Mardyke. The band was originally an all male ensemble but the 1970s saw the introduction of female band members.

The Buttera can be seen and heard at religious events, parades and festivals playing a wide colourful ranging repertoire from classical to pop airs. They are also involved in outreach modules in local primary and secondary schools, bringing music to a wider audience.

The band ages range from 13 to 78. Their long and proud history has seen many great conductors most notably Herbie Hendricks who has been with the band for 55 years. New members are always welcome and like the Barracka, anyone interested in learning to play an instrument are encouraged to join. Both bands have been associated with the GAA since its foundation, instrumental in its sporting celebrations and also involved with the League of Ireland.

Background to the Barracka Buttera Song

Sunday, May 10th 2009 will go down in the history books of the Barrack Street Band and Butter Exchange Band as one of their proudest days when they were acknowledged and recognised by the then Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Brian Bermingham and the Cork City Council for their over 300 years combined service of marching and entertaining the people of Cork, at home and abroad by the unveiling of plaques in their honour.

It was the anticipation of this special ceremony that inspired me to write the Barracka Buttera Song. I felt that both bands and the prestigious event to honour them should be marked with a unique song. In the early hours of Sunday morning, May 10th 2010, when I should have been fast asleep I was wide awake.

I couldn't sleep. It was about half past one in the morning and as I lay in my bed, an image of Paddy O'Callaghan, a former conductor of Barrack Street Band kept coming into my mind. I have many fond memories of Paddy when I interviewed him over 20 years ago when I was writing the Barrack Street Band book.

As I saw him, leading the Barrack Street Band down Barrack Street I noticed how his hips were swinging as he marched down the street and the rest of the band and the sound of the music they were playing were following his rhythm. As this image became clearer, an overwhelming feeling surged inside me as I began to hear music I had never heard before and then the lyrics started to flow.

I jumped out of bed and grabbed a pen and paper and immediately began to write down what was pouring into my mind before it evaporated and was lost forever. It was as if the spirit of Paddy and all the former members of both bands were with me in the room, cheering me on. By 3o'clock, I had the lyrics and music of the BarrackaButtera Song completed.

A few hours later, with a spring in my step and a smile on my face, I headed off with the Barracka Buttera Song tucked snugly in my pocket, marching down the street and as I approached the Firkin Crane, I could see members of the Buttera and Barracka dressed in their beautiful wine and blue pressed uniforms - they looked like Hollywood stars with their beaming smiles and their sparkling polished instruments that dazzled in the sunshine.

There was a buzz in the air.

It wasn't long before Billy O'Callaghan; conductor of the Barrack Street Band appeared along with Seanie Falvey, musician, and band member. Enthusiastically I told them that I had composed a unique song for their special event and without hesitation proceeded to sing it for them with all of my animation as if I was conducting the bands.

As I was singing it, I couldn't help but notice expression of bewilderment on their faces and the sounds of laughter coming from the group of girls from the Barracka and Buttera bands beside them.

They must have thought I was let loose for the day but I continued to sing and they continued to listen and were captured by the beat and rhythm of the BarrackaButtera Song. With a twinkle in his eye, Billy enthusiastically commented: 'That's a very catchy song Richard' and with that the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Brian Bermingham arrived and we all moved into the Firkin Crane auditorium to prepare the programme for the unveiling of the plaques.

It was there that Billy asked me to sing theBarracka Buttera Song at the reception that would be held later for the bands in the courtyard of the Flying Enterprise - the old Sullivan's Quay School yard. I said that I certainly would sing the song but that I would need to be accompanied so I asked Seanie Falvey to accompany me on drums.

Off we went into the corridor, off the auditorium, Seanie with his drums and drumstick and me with the Barracka Buttera Song and there we had our first full dress rehearsal.

Then from under the shadow of the old mother hen Shandon, we set off on the march of celebration, the bands led by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Brian Bermingham with Billy O'Callaghan, the conductor of the Barracka on his right and Herbie Hendricks, the conductor of the Buttera on his left

After the colourful, enthusiastic, historic, unveiling of the plaques, we all headed off to the reception at the courtyard ( old Sullivan's Quay School yard ) where the Flying Enterprise had laid on tasty refreshments.

The combined bands performed some fine Cork airs and after the Lord Mayor had given a glowing, rousing speech about the bands history and great contribution to the people of Cork, myself and Seanie took centre stage.

As we stood in front of the packed courtyard of Ministers, Councillors, special guests and the combined bands of Barracka and Buttera and the Lord Mayor of Cork, both of us gave an Oscar performance and received a rapturous applause for the inspirational BarrackaButtera Song. And as they say, the rest is history.

All proceeds from the sale of the Barracka Buttera Song CD will go to the outreach music programs run by the Barrack Street Band and Butter Exchange Band in schools.