Visitors to the Dublin Museum may see an object of great interest in the keyed bugle that was the first parent of the silver-toned cornet now so popular with bandmasters.
What makes it so interesting to Irish people is the fact that it was invented by a bandmaster of the Cavan Militia about the year 1810. Up to that time the only brass instruments in a band were the French horn, the slide trombone, the chromatic slide trumpet and the brass horn. Among these there was no satisfactory solo instrument.
It was Halliday, the Cavan bandmaster, who first thought of adding keys to the bugle; and, when five keys were added, they gave twenty-five tones. The new invention was made by one Matthew Pace, of Henry street, who bought the rights from the inventor for fifty pounds.
This instrument became exceedingly popular, and further improvements were made, until it was, next to the clarinet, the most popular solo instrument in any band. The cornet is a direct descendant of Halliday's keyed bugle.
The Irish Times, March 9th, 1931