Legacy of the Artane Band


  • The Artane Band was founded at the Artane Industrial School for boys, managed by the Irish Christian Brothers under the provisions of the Irish Industrial Schools (1868) Act and certified by Chichester Samuel Parkinson-Fortescue (Baron Carlingford) then H.M. Chief Secretary for Ireland on 9th July, 1870. 
  • Certified at the time to accept up to 800 boys whose upkeep was chargeable on the (UK) Treasury Grant, Artane was the largest Industrial school in the country, almost four times the size of any similar school. 
  • 1886 The Artane Boys Band begin their association with the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) who jointly run the current Artane School of Music with the Christian Brothers. 
  • For well over 100 years, generations of  families were ignored when they highlighted what they suffered and experienced, as children, in Artane Industrial School. The first reports into sexual abuse were logged in the 1930’s.
  • In 1998 a major police investigation was launched into sex abuse allegations in Artane. Ten gardai including a detective sergeant were assigned full-time to working on the Artane inquiry. The ten-person team worked permanently on the investigation for almost 18 months and took well over a thousand statements from potential witnesses.  Some of the specific allegations involved "horrendous" sex acts.  Only one prosecution was secured.
  • The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse published in 2009 states that:  sexual abuse of boys in Artane by Brothers was a chronic problem. (Ryan Report 7.549)
  • To this day that suffering continues and is exacerbated by minimising the impact that the present Artane Band and School of Music has on our lives. 
  • All of the Industrial Schools that had brass bands, disbanded them when the doors of their institutions closed.  The only remaining  Institution band to be kept going is the Artane Band.  This is due to the fact it was the most famous of the bands, created a major revenue stream and  created a false facade in the promotion of Industrial Schools and the Order of the Christian Brothers.  Indeed, when serious abuse allegations were made, the Christian Brothers would often cite the Artane Band as an example of their good work, with the constant backing of the GAA.  
  • July 1969 saw the closure of Artane Industrial School but, amongst other things, the boys in the band had been tutoring local boys from the community for over a year (May ‘68) so that they could take over the band’s activities. Due to un-preparedness the new community Band was unable to attend any All Ireland fixtures that (1969) year. In its alleged “history” of the period the current management of the Artane School of Music refer to this period as “a seamless transition...”  
  • During 1870 – 1969 the Artane Band was at all times used as a vehicle by the Christian Brothers (& State) to economically exploit highly vulnerable children and young people contrary to the provisions of State and International laws and Conventions.

The Present 

  •  There are many who experienced abuse in Artane, including those who were in the band, who are alive today who continue to suffer from their ordeal because of the continued presence of the Artane Band and its association for them. 
  • In its original guise, The Artane Boys Band was used as a front to hide the gross inhumanity that took place at the Industrial School in Artane.
  • The original and traditional insignia and uniforms are still worn to this day and are a shameful reminder of the institutional abuse suffered by so many children in Artane and nationwide.
  • Out 3,685 boys detained in Artane Industrial School between 1940-1969,  1,045 boys were committed there under the Non Attendance of School Act. Cllr Flynn's motion from 2010 was overwhelmingly endorsed by all councillors.  
  • A disbandment of the trust would sever all ties with the former industrial school and its brutal history.
  • September 7th 2016 Cllr Mannix Flynn puts in a motion to Dublin City Council SEA, to consider renaming and decommission the uniform and name of the Artane Band. This was met by a blunt refusal and a lobbying campaign against the motion.  It became obvious that the issue was a greater one then envisaged and that there would be serious resistance to any challenge to the Artane Band. 
  • September 10th Irish Times Article claims the name 'Artane Band' is a useful reminder.
  • Flynn's submits a new motion on September 12th,  reconstituted to include a complete disbandment of the Artane Band and the Artane School of  Music.  
  • September 14th 2016 The Lord Mayor of Dublin issues a press statement praising the band and celebrating its 130 year proud history with the GAA without any mention of the true history of the Artane Band or the institution in which it was born out of. 
  • The Lord Mayor, breaks his impartiality as Chairperson of DCC and First Citizen of Dublin and accuses Cllr Flynn of hurting children who are in the present Artane Band , upsetting the people of Dublin and he should be ashamed.  
  • 17th October North Central Area Committee denied Cllr Mannix Flynn's motion.  Only one Councillor, Councillor Michael O Brien, supported him.  

The Christian Brothers


The GAA

  • ​​1886 The Artane Boys Band begin their association with the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association)
  • According to the CRO, The Artane Boys Band was registered as a business name in 1993 by Brother John J Henegan.
  • In 1998 A joint trust was established between the GAA and the Christian Brothers which controls the Artane School of Music
  • According to the Revenue Commissioners, the Artane School of music is a registered charity number  10025 Artane School of Music T/A Artane Boys' Band, St. Davids Park Artane, Dublin