If you're new here, welcome! We're the Roisin Dubh Irish Pipe Band, pronounced Ro-sheen Doo. Our name is Irish for "Little Dark Rose," also known as "Dark Rosaleen," a name with deep roots in Irish song and poetry. Based in East Islip, New York, we carry that tradition onto parade routes and competition fields across the region. Competing in Grades 3 through 5, we travel primarily along the East Coast, bringing together players ranging from first-year beginners to seasoned veterans. Every season brings new faces, new tunes, and new memories on and off the field. And with that said, what a year it's been.
In the early months of 2026, the band rehearsed new music, in preparation for the Grand Marshall’s Ball, widely considered the unofficial kickoff to St. Patrick's Day season. From there, we bundled up and hit the streets for 13 parades, from NYC to Montauk, along with two new gigs. Once parade season wrapped up, our focus shifted to competition preparation. In early May, we took the stage at St. Anthony's High School for their annual concert, a great way to shake off the nerves. Just two weeks later, we stepped onto the field at Fair Hill, Maryland for the first of six contests, with nine summer parades keeping us busy in between.
As exciting as it is to compete and march in the streets, much of the hard work happens between events. Every Thursday night, we gather to rehearse, with beginners starting at 6:30pm and our competition bands running up til 9:30pm. It's a great way to learn the ins and outs of pipe band life and meet some fantastic people along the way. A contest set may only last a few minutes, but getting it right takes months of Thursday nights and the occasional Sunday morning. Practices can get pretty toasty, so when it's all over, nothing beats a refreshing Guinness served up by Mac.
Our biggest adventure of the season was traveling to Chicago for our debut at the Chicago Scottish Festival & Highland Games. Getting there wasn't easy, with rough travel and flight delays testing everyone's patience, but we arrived safely and ready to play. Each grade had something to celebrate. Grade 3 debuted a new set, while Grade 4 showed its versatility with players doubling on their secondary instruments. It was especially exciting for our Grade 5 as they welcomed new players into the circle to compete for the very first time. Being a hot day on and off the field, it was wonderful to see members step up to support our new players, whether by handing out water, finding a spot in the shade, helping with tuning, or offering a few words of encouragement before a performance.
"Stepping in as a Grade 5 understudy on bass drum, I was nervous about fitting in with a group that had its rhythm set. Everyone was flexible, and welcomed me like I have been there all along."
— Cathy, Bass Drummer
Half way through the year we hosted our annual Skip McCormick Memorial Horseshoe Tournament, and we couldn't have asked for a better day. The weather was beautiful, the horseshoes were flying, and the taps were flowing. It was a reminder to all that being in a band isn't all about contests and placings. It's about striking up a conversation with the person throwing horseshoes beside you, catching up with old friends over a drink, and making new ones from the community that supports us all year long. Thank you to everyone who came out and spent the day with us.
As we close out another year, we're grateful for every parade, contest, and every Thursday night that brought us here. The quieter months ahead give us a chance to regroup, sharpen our playing, and get ready for everything the 2027 season will bring. We're always looking to grow, so if you play the pipes or drums, or are interested in joining our colorguard, we'd love to hear from you. Stop by on a Thursday night, or reach out and come see what Roisin Dubh is all about.
Sláinte!