Gerard McCartney (Eb bass)
Gerard began playing the tuba in second year in the De La Salle Secondary School in Downpatrick under Mrs. Coyle’s tuition. This was a school concert band and he later progressed to the South Eastern School of Music in Ballynahinch playing in the Junior Concert, Intermediate and Senior Concert band and attended the Advanced Teaching Service in Ballynahinch passing grade 7 in the theory of music and Grade 5 with distinction being tutored by Mr. Jackie Burch. Around 1980 he played for Laganvale Brass Band under the conductor Mr. Murdock and played in the Ulster Hall in the Northern Ireland Championships in 1980.
Gerard didn’t play anymore when he left school in 1984 and had a 34yr career in the NHS. After retiring, he bought a tuba to see if he could still play. After two weeks he contacted Downshire Brass Band and a few weeks later he was playing live with the band at Hillsborough Castle! Since then, Gerard has played in several Northen Ireland Championships and in the European Championships in Birmingham in 2022 and in Norway in 2025 for the European Championships there. He drove the van loaded with equipment from Belfast to Norway and back with another member of the band’s team.
Gerard has played with the band at most of their events. Gerard helps out other brass bands when requested and when possible. In 2023 Gerard had the opportunity to play with another band in the Ulster Hall, forty-three years after he last played there! Gerard has been the band’s secretary since February 2022.
Gerard worked as a Registered Mental Health Nurse for 34yrs in Purdysburn Hospital/ Knockbracken Healthcare Park. He worked in the Regional Secure Unit, Shannon Clinic, for 15yrs and retired in 2019. He is married and has a daughter, son and grandson. Gerard loves travelling and has been doing city breaks in different cities all around Europe since 2004. He is planning to walk part of the Camino in 2028.