‘Downshire Brass has become one of Northern Ireland's leading contesting and concert brass bands ... The Band was formed in 1990 by the Amalgamation of the Reid Memorial Silver Band and Hillsborough Silver Band, two of the oldest bands in Ireland at that time. The name Downshire originated from the members themselves as they wanted a new name for the new amalgamated band even though they were proud of the history of both bands. The amalgamation has been very successful and many of the band are original members.‘