Some other midnight: opposing views over start time for New Year's Eve celebrations creates rift in space-time continuum
This New Year's Eve, the Achill pipe band parades are facing a crisis, the likes of which will have never been seen before until the next crisis.
Traditionally, each pipe band starts at midnight of New Year's Eve in their own village before marching to Pollagh Church where they meet to wish members of the other bands the best for the New Year. The bands would normally be accompanied by their supporters who would typically join the New Year celebrations at the church, leading to a very convivial atmosphere of peace and love, which fosters and reinforces strong community links. This last element is particularly important as, from the 2nd of January, the countdown to St Patrick's Day - and the challenge to be named "Best Band on the Island" - begins in earnest, and some find cordial communications with opposing band members to be a bit of a challenge.
The closure of the Achill Head Hotel in Pollagh a number of years ago has had a significant impact on how the New Year's Eve celebrations pan out. Without a disco and late bar to go to after the meet and greet outside Pollagh Church, many attendees in recent years chose to remain inside in the various hostelries, rather than follow the bands to the church and risk the sometimes inclement weather. Can't say I blame them.
In order to adapt to the new reality, this year the Keel and Dooagh bands have proposed that the parades start early. 10pm at Pollagh Church was orignally mooted for the pipe bands to start, with the bands returning to their respective villages to parade and finish up at midnight. However, despite the Achill Head Hotel in Pollagh now playing host to a number of citizens of Ukraine - for whom 10pm in Achill is their midnight - Pollagh band requested that the original midnight in Achill start time for bands be retained, which would mean a New Year's Eve meet and greet that finishes at 01:30, or 03:30 in Kyiv. Preferring instead to finish in Keel West at midnight, the Dooagh band has voted for a start at 23:30 at the Wavecrest Hotel in order to finish up at midnight at Gielty's. However, your correspondent has a source claiming that a start time at the Wavecrest of 22:30 is preferred to allow time to play for crowds at Lourdie's during the march to Gielty's. Keel band in the meantime - having a shorter route - will begin their parade at 23:40 aiming to be at the Annexe Inn for midnight. Or possibly Keel hall. Who knows. Despite this careful planning however, a breakaway Keel faction may still make the trip to Pollagh Church.
As things stand, Pollagh band will start their parade as normal at Dooagh School(!) at 23:55 probably, before marching on to welcome in the New Year at Pollagh Church and to wish each other a Happy New Year again.
All times subject to change. Even midnight.
Breaking news:
Dooagh band has had a change of heart and will now start their parade at midnight at Gielty's, and march to the Wavecrest where the parade will end. We understand that the difficulty in pinning down just when and where midnight happens was a key factor in this decision.
