The Boherbuoy Brass and Reed Band, who have been delighting Ireland with their music since their formation in 1850, meet up to practice here twice a week, playing several concerts each year - including one this Friday night at Crescent College Comprehensive.

Despite my reservations, when I walk into the building, I feel an immediate sense of warmth.

The band's oldest member, Patrick Phelan, who prefers to be known merely as "Pa", grabbed my arm, saying "Oh you must be the fellow from the Leader," before enthusiastically showing me some of the photos on the wall of their facility.

The 50-strong band can boast a rich history, despite their humble beginnings - set up in Culhane's Stables, in Hifle's Brow, on what is now known as Parnell Street.

Since then, they have had more than ten homes, from the second floor room of a house in Edward Street (affectionately known by the band's members as The Castle of Comforts), to Kings Lane, situated just off Boherbuoy, where the band took its name.

They eventually settled on their current bandhall, which serves as a treasure trove of their history, with photos dating back to the 1890s - no doubt around the time, the first occasion cameras could be used on a widespread scale.

The centre also houses recordings from the Boherbuoy Band, dating from the 1920s, as well as instruments from around the same period. It really is worth a visit.

The Boherbuoy Band were formed in 1850, and entertained crowds of people on the People's Park bandstand twice a week through the summer - on a Wednesday and a Sunday afternoon.

But it was not until 1885 they first tasted real glory - winning the All Ireland Band Championships.

To celebrate the achievement, Limerick's then Mayor, Ambrose Hall inscribed silver medals for the players - after they were presented with a 'five valve silver played euphonium'.

The group repeated the feat on home turf a year later, beating newer bands from Newcastle West, Waterford and Cork, adding a "silver played cornet" to their rapidly growing collection of garlands.

However, the band had to wait until last year - at New Ross in Wexford - before winning anything on a truly national scale again. They won the Intermediate category at the 42nd National Band Championships - organised by the Irish Association of Brass and Concert Bands.

And history repeated itself when the same championships were held in Limerick's UL Concert Hall this year. Sadly, they could not emulate the achievements of their 1886 forefathers.

However, this would have no doubt been because the group moved up a level from 'Intermediate'.

Speaking after the tournament, chairman Don Phelan said: "The members were delighted to be performing on home ground. They really set out what they achieved to do. That is to take on the challenge of a demanding test piece and perform this well and in doing so, take its place as one of the most successful bands in the country."

Winning the 'Intermediate' section at the National Band Championships last year is, for most members, the band's greatest achievement.
However, refusing to rest on their laurels, the band's members are looking onwards and upwards.