Irish Guard

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

History

The Irish Guard was formed in 1949cite_journal|url=http://www.nd.edu/~ndmag/grdau00.htm|title=Changing of the Guard|accessdate=2008-03-17|journal=Notre Dame Magazine|year=2000 |month=Autumn ] as a part of the University of Notre Dame Marching Band. The uniform of the guard was based on the pattern of the traditional Scottish kilt and incorporates the unique Notre Dame tartan. When wearing the entire uniform, a member of the guard stands eight feet tall to the top of the shako.

Requirements

Irish Guard members must be physically strong, mentally tough, well-coordinated, and most importantly, at least 6'2". Given the popularity of the Guard, tryouts are held annually in August at the beginning of the school year. Up to 60 candidates will try out for the Guard to fill any openings in the 10-member Guard each year.

These representatives of the Notre Dame Irish Guard, past and present, do not seek public recognition for their service to the University or for the hours of work they put each day into maintaining the highest standards of excellence.

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 act in public. Mr. Fyfe taught the Guard to act in a fashion similar to the stoic and silent members of the Irish Guards, British Guards, and Scots Guards from the British Isles.

References