News
December 31, 2007

Black Raven toasts 90-year-old former P-M

Former Black Raven Pipe-Major Jimmy Russell plays with the band at his 90th birthday celebration in Dublin, December 8, 2007.The Grade 3 Black Raven Pipe Band of Dublin raised several collective glasses to Jimmy Russell, the band’s former Pipe-Major, on December 8th to celebrate his 90th birthday. Russell joined the band for several tunes on the pipes, which he continues to play every day.

Also playing with the band on the night were his son Michael, grandson Paul and Ciara and Andrew, his great-grandchildren.

More than 250 friends and family turned out for the celebration at the Tuvey Golf club on the north side of Dublin. After a few sets with the band, Russell very nearly played a solo spot, but then handed the pipes to his grandson, Paul, the current Pipe-Major.

Four generations of Russells have played with Black Raven since it started in 1910.

In a speech, Russell thanked the band and his wife Bridget for putting up with it over the years. Bridget said that the band was always her husband’s first love and that she came second, to which Russell responded, “What’s wrong with that?”

p|d

What do you think? We always want to hear from our readers, so please use our comments system to provide your thoughts!

Do you have news? Be sure to send your information to pipes|drums. We can’t report what we don’t know about! Please remember to support the businesses that advertise and make the not-for-profit p|d possible.

2 COMMENTS

  1. that’s absolutely superb !! and playing everyday. I ‘m just hoping to be looking green side up a 90, but playing every day, with your son, grandson, and great grandchildren ? You gotta go a long way to beat that. Bruce Gandy

  2. Congratulations to Mr. Jemmy Russell on his 90th. Birthday and good luck to all his family members currently playing with the Black Raven Pipe Band: sons Michael and Seamus, Grandsons Paul, Martin, Damien and Christopher and Great-Grandchildren Ciara and Andrew,

Subscribers

Registration

Forgotten Password?