The Pipes & Drums of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Rockland County, New York was founded by Edward V. Larkin in 1984. Larkin, a retired New York City police officer, had the idea of starting a bagpipe band in the Irish-rich Rockland County after his retirement from the NYPD in 1981. Larkin had been a member of the NYPD Pipes & Drums throughout most of his police career, and could not believe that Rockland County did not have its own pipe band.  So, Larkin enlisted the help of a fellow NYPD retiree and bagpiper Billy Maye, and together they started to put the pieces together.

Knowing that it was important to have organizational support for this new endeavor, the duo went to the Rockland County AOH to garner their support, which was eventually given, even though many were skeptical at first. Then, whether through the AOH or just good old fashioned word-of-mouth, many important people joined in the task of putting the County’s first bagpipe band together.  Jim McDonnell, a veteran bass drummer of many pipe bands, joined the ranks. Danny Withers, a longtime AOH member and tireless worker, also pitched in. Bob Burkert, a longtime snare drummer who called Larkin and told him that although he never played in a pipe band he had always wanted to, became the band’s first drum sergeant and drum instructor. There was Pat Crowe, who in Larkin’s words, could have been the NYPD’s Finbar Devine’s twin brother because he was “big and ugly”, who became the band’s first drum major.  And finally, there was Brian Larkin, Larkin’s 14-year old son, a piper since the age of 9, became a valuable aid to Larkin in the teaching of the bagpipes to the new students that would join the ranks.

    
In the early months of 1984 the first of many bagpipe and drum classes began. At first, lessons were held on Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings at the Irish Cultural Center, in Blauvelt, NY. The band would eventually move to its current home base, the Hibernian House, in Pearl River, NY, in 1987, for its Thursday night practice. We still remain there today. The pipes were taught by Ed Larkin, Billy Maye, and Brian Larkin.  Snare drum lessons were given by Bob Burkert and George Ambrose, another retired NYPD snare drummer. Over the years, Ed Larkin taught over 150 people, and probably closer to 200, the bagpipes.

   
There was much hard work and dedication in the beginning. The original eleven adults in the band each chipped in $300, so we would have down payments for our uniforms. And as McDonnell told Larkin,  “ You can always take out a second mortgage if all else fails.”  So after months of broken drum sticks and ear piercing sounds from missed notes of the practice chanter; after miles and miles off leg work and fund raisers to put together our uniform and to buy much needed band equipment, it was time for the band to makes its debut. In November 1984, the band hosted a concert at Suffern High School.  The Barley Bree provided the entertainment and the band performed during their break.   As anyone could sure imagine, our debut was filled with the glorious sound of perfected music.  At least, that is what we will tell you. And the band was off and running.

    
In January 1986, the band received a huge boost of talent. The American Fenian Black Kilts Pipe Band from New Jersey folded its band. As a result, the band got 8 new members from the former Black Kilts Band, including our recently semi-retired drum Major, Marty Farkas.

    
The band has performed in countless events throughout our 24- plus years of existence. The highlights have included every New York City St. Patrick’s parade since our inception. We have led every Pearl River St. Patrick’s parade with pride since our first days. We performed in Operation Welcome Home, the ticker- tape parade down the Canyon of Heroes for our troops following Operation Dessert Storm.  On St. Patrick’s Day 1997, the band performed live on the Today Show on NBC.  This year, we answered the age old question, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?”  The answer is, you have to be asked.  On March 13, 2007, we performed in concert with Ronan Tynan, the famed Irish Tenor, in a concert called   “ A Great Night for the Irish.”  The band has also filled the air of the Hudson Highlands with sweet music, performing in many Military Tattoos at the United States Military Academy at West Point. We have performed at countless other festivals and parades throughout the tri-state area.  The band has also competed in many bagpipe competitions throughout the northeast. We even managed to win a few of them.

    
The band has also performed in Ireland on multiple occasions.  In 1989, we performed in the Bobby Sands Memorial parade, in Bundoran, County Donegal, commemorating the memory of The Hunger Strikers. For our participation, the band was presented with a three foot Celtic Cross that had been carved by one of the prisoners in Long Kesh Prison. In 1991, the band participated in the Rose of Tralee Festival, in County Kerry. And finally, in 1995, we played in the Mary of Dungloe Festival in County Donegal.

    
There are three positions in a bagpipe band that are most valuable. They are pipe major, drum major, and drum sergeant.  We have been blessed to have great individuals hold these ranks throughout our history.

    
The band has had five pipe majors.  Edward Larkin was the band’s first pipe major. He was followed by Brian Larkin, Mike Lenihan, Marty Henry, Clare McClarnon, and then Brian Larkin, again.

    
We have had four drum majors carry the mace for us.  Pat Crowe was the first. He was succeeded by Charlie Lynch,  Marty Farkas,  and in 2008 by Jim Hopkins.

    
We have been fortunate to have four very qualified drummers serve as our drum sergeant. Bob Burkert, Kevin McAleer, Keri Cottingham, and Kevin O’Neill have all filled the roll admirably.

    
It was always our founder’s dream for this band to put out an album. That dream was realized in the late 1990s when over a two week span we recorded our debut album at a tiny New Jersey recording studio, and have since sold many copies.

    
The saddest day for our band came on November 28, 2003. That was the day our founder, Edward V. Larkin, passed away after a short battle with cancer. He will always be remembered by all who have passed through the ranks of his band, and even those who have not started their first lesson.  To that extent, a short time after his passing, the band was renamed in his honor, known for evermore as the Rockland County AOH Edward V. Larkin Memorial Pipe Band.

    
Over 200 people have passed through the ranks of our now 24-year old band. Every one of you have left a mark. Every one of you are responsible for making this band into what it is known for today. That is, one of the most successful bagpipe bands in the tri-state area.

    
Thank you to every one for helping to fulfill a dream!