Los San Patricios!

Mexican Pipers in the Hoose.

Banda De Gaitas (Pipe Band) San Patricio are a competing (and winning!) pipe band that were formed as a tribute to the men of the SAN PATRICIO'S BATALLION, composed mainly of Irish defectors from the American Army in the war against the USA of 1847.

Equally feared and despised, they came to an inglorious end at Churabussco convent, where after being finally beaten and captured they were unceremoniously hung. The band now play (YOUTUBE VIDEO) there on the 1st Sunday of every month.

I'm not much of a patriot, but it was a wonderful coming together of all that connects me to Ireland, Scotland & now Mexico. And by God, they're a fine, fine band. Really rousing stuff.

A chill stampeded down my spine when a cry of, "Viva Irlanda! Viva Mexico!" went up at one point. Even thinking about it now, is having a similar effect!

More Photos Here.

It was a great way to spend a Sunday in a church for an auld atheist like myself!! It's no wonder that it was the source of inspiration for a Ry Cooder/Chieftains COLLABORATION.