The Band of the Irish Guards is one of five bands in the Foot Guards Regiments within the Household Division.  The Band's main role is to assist the regiments guarding the monarch by providing musical support for ceremonial duties.  

The Irish Guards was formed on 1 April 1900 to commemorate the bravery of the many Irish regiments which fought in the South African campaigns.  The Regimental Band made its first public appearance in 1901.  On the 23 January 1923, the Band made what is believed to be the very first broadcast by a military band.  The programme was broadcast live on the 2LO station from a studio in Marconi House in The Strand, London.  In 1948, the Band supported the Guards battalion involved in the conflict in Palestine.  Tragically, the Band suffered a fatality; Lance Corporal Ted Jones was shot and killed.  He is buried in Sarafand Military Cemetery.

In the 1950s the Band was selected to perform the UK premier broadcast of Paul Hindemith's 'Symphony for Concert Band'. 

Over the years the Band has toured extensively, including a visit to Japan in 1972, where it was accorded the honour of being the first foreign band ever to play in the Imperial Palace in the presence of the Empress and the two Crown Princesses. 

The Band has made numerous appearances on television and in films, including 'The Ipcress File', and 'Oh! What a Lovely War', as well as being engaged to whistle Colonel Bogey for the soundtrack of The Bridge on the River Kwai.

A number of former Band members have continued their careers with national orchestras, including the Hallé, the BBC Symphony and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.  Two former Directors of Music, Major George Willcocks and Lt Col 'Jiggs' Jaeger also conducted the Black Dyke Mills Band at the National Brass Band Championships. 

The Band is permanently based at Wellington Barracks, London.