Lisburn Temperance Silver Band, c. 1926 (ILC&LM Collection, gifted by Lisburn Historical Society)
Lisburn Silver Band was formed c. 1900, and in its early years, the band had close links with temperance – a movement that promoted moderation of alcohol consumption, or in some cases total abstinence. Other local temperance bands included Lisburn Rechabite Brass Band and Lisburn Total Abstinence Brass Band.
Lisburn Silver Band won many competitions throughout its history, including seven North of Ireland Bands’ Association (NIBA) Championship of Ireland titles (1921, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1938, and 1953). In 1924, it was the first musical group to play on local radio in Northern Ireland and they released their first vinyl record, ‘Silver in Co. Antrim’, in 1972, before touring Canada.
In 1993, the band merged with Lurganure Silver to form Garvey Silver Band.
You can see the uniform of one of Lisburn Silver Band’s members, Victor McClintock, in our exhibition: Something Old, Something New (ends autumn 2024).