Irish Guard (Notre Dame)

The Irish Guard is a group of uniformed students that leads the Band of the Fighting Irish onto the field at home games. They are considered one of the integral parts in the pageantry, lore, and legend of Notre Dame football.

This article is about the Notre Dame pageantry troupe. For the British Army regiment, see Irish Guards. For the Republic of Ireland police force, see Garda Síochána.

The Irish Guard
Active	1949-Present
Country	United States of America
Type	Unit of authority
Role	Escorting the Band of the Fighting Irish
Size	8 Guards
March	Hike Step: "Hike, Notre Dame"
Insignia
Tartan	Notre Dame Marching Guard
Plume	Yellow Right side of Bearskin Shako

History

The Irish Guard was formed in 1949 as a part of the University of Notre Dame Marching Band. The uniform of the guard is based on the pattern of the traditional Scottish kilt and incorporated the unique Notre Dame tartan.

They accompany the Fighting Irish Marching Band at away games throughout the season, and at all home games at Notre Dame Stadium. The Irish Guard travels with the Band of the Fighting Irish to away games and marches with the band on campus. These traditions include the Victory Clog to the tune "Damhsa Bua" performed after every Irish football win.[1].

Requirements

Members of the Irish Guard must demonstrate a refined marching technique, a dedication to university ideals, and, most importantly, stature and poise.

John Fyfe, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and former employee of the University of Notre Dame, provided members with background and experience as to the proper way to dress, march, and comport themselves in public. Mr. Fyfe taught the Guard to emulate the stoic and silent manner of the British Army's Foot Guards, including that of the Irish Guards.

In 2014, Notre Dame Band Director Dr. Kenneth Dye instituted a policy that limited Irish Guard membership only to students that had previously served for at least one year in the band as an instrumentalist or manager. This policy change ended the decades-long tradition that allowed any Notre Dame student in good standing to tryout for the Irish Guard. [2]

Notes

1. Coyne, Kevin (1996). Domers. New York: Penguin Books. ISBN 9780140178982.
2. Stevenson, Lesley (2 May 2014). "Band restructures Irish Guard". The Observer.

References

• Seen and heard on campus University of Notre Dame Magazine