Gerry Whelan: The Man Behind the All-Ireland Fleadh Marching Band Cups

For generations of marching bands competing at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil, the name Gerry Whelan has been associated with the trophies presented to the winning bands. However, his connection with the tradition goes far beyond the cups bearing his name.

Born in 1918 near Mohill, Co. Leitrim, Gerry moved to Cootehill in 1939. A successful businessman and keen musician, he became deeply involved in Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and played an important role in supporting traditional music and marching bands.

Establishing St Michael’s Marching Band

Gerry Whelan was instrumental in setting up St Michael’s Marching Band in Cootehill in 1967.

The band went on to achieve considerable success, including winning the All-Ireland Marching Band Competition in 1972. According to a tribute published online, this was one of Gerry’s proudest moments.

His involvement in establishing the band reflected his commitment to encouraging participation in music and providing opportunities for people in his local community to perform and compete.

For Gerry, marching bands were a passion and an important part of the musical tradition he worked to promote throughout his life.

His contribution to Comhaltas

Gerry was involved with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann from its early years and attended the first All-Ireland Fleadh in Mullingar in 1951. He later served as President of the Ulster Council for approximately 30 years.

During the 1980s, he was part of a committee established to rationalise and reorganise the Comhaltas band competitions. The work helped promote competitions at county, provincial and All-Ireland level, attracting greater attendances to the Fleadhanna.

His involvement with Comhaltas extended beyond marching bands, supporting the wider traditional music movement and the many competitions held throughout Ireland.

1985: The Whelan cups

A major milestone in Gerry’s involvement with marching bands came in 1985, when the Whelan Boot Manufacturing Company undertook sponsorship of the All-Ireland Marching Band Competitions.

As part of the sponsorship, the company presented a set of perpetual cups and plaques for the competitions. These awards would become associated with Gerry Whelan’s name and remain part of the All-Ireland marching-band tradition.

The sponsorship was a natural extension of Gerry’s longstanding involvement with the bands. Having helped establish St Michael’s Marching Band and contributed to the development of Comhaltas competitions, he was also supporting the awards that recognised the achievements of competing bands.

The memorial trophies

Gerry Whelan died on 28 February 2001, aged 82.

In 2006, a new set of Gerald Whelan Memorial trophies, sponsored by the family business, were introduced at the All-Ireland Fleadh in Letterkenny.

The updated trophies included cups and plaques for winners and runners up across several Comhaltas competition categories including flute bands, miscellaneous bands, pipe bands, céilí bands and accordion bands.

This reflects the breadth of Gerry’s contribution to the traditional music movement, while his connection with marching bands remains a particularly significant part of his legacy.

Members of the Whelan family continue to attend the All-Ireland marching-band competition to present the cups, maintaining a connection that began with Gerry’s sponsorship in 1985.

The Gerry Whelan Memorial Weekend

Gerry’s contribution to traditional music was also commemorated in Cootehill through the establishment of the Gerry Whelan Memorial Weekend in 2005.

The festival began with a memorial concert and developed into an annual celebration of traditional Irish music, song and dance.

During the early years of the festival, marching bands featured prominently in the programme. Marching-band parades brought music and colour to the streets of Cootehill, reflecting Gerry’s particular passion for the bands.

The event was described as a tribute to Gerry’s work and his commitment to the marching-band tradition.

Due to the decline in the number of bands attending the weekend there is no longer a parade. However the festival continues as a celebration of traditional music through concerts, sessions, workshops and performances. The 2026 celebration was held last weekend from the 11th to 13th this was the 20th year of the celebrations.

A lasting legacy

Gerry Whelan’s contribution to marching bands spanned several decades. From helping establish St Michael’s Marching Band in Cootehill in 1967 to supporting the development of Comhaltas competitions and sponsoring the All-Ireland trophies in 1985, his involvement was both local and national.

The introduction of the memorial trophies in 2006 ensured that his name continued to be associated with the wider Comhaltas competition programme.

Today, the Whelan family continues to present the cups at the All-Ireland marching-band competition, maintaining a connection between Gerry’s legacy and a new generation of competitors.

From St Michael’s Marching Band in Cootehill to the All-Ireland Fleadh, Gerry Whelan’s passion for traditional music and marching bands continues to be remembered through the competitions and trophies that carry his name.