Irvine Memorial are delighted to be able to bring the renowned piper and former Pipe Major of St Laurence O’Toole, Terry Tully, to the Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone. on 7th February for another ‘Audience With’ event.
In addition, there will be performances by Stephen Creighton, leading drummer of the current World Champion drum corps, and P/Sgt. and Northern Ireland man, Brendan Murphy.
The evening will take the form of previous popular ‘audience with’ events with solos, duets and interviews.
Terry Tully followed in the footsteps of his father and grandparents in taking up the pipes, becoming a successful solo piper and winning many competitions from juvenile to senior. In 1984 he succeeded his father as Pipe Major of St Laurence O’Toole leading them from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and then to the ultimate accolade, World Champions 2010. He handed over the reins to son Alen in 2013 and ceased competing in 2019.
Stephen Creighton has played in 30 World Solo Finals, won five All Ireland titles, five Ulster and one UK Senior. His drum corps have won 21 Grade 1 RSPBA drumming titles including seven Worlds. On a local level, his they have won fourteen G1 All Ireland Drumming titles.
Brendan Murphy, a SLOT member for seven years, started piping aged 10 under Norman McCutcheon. He has played with both Field Marshal and Strathclyde Police winning several World titles.
‘An Audience With’ is a free event with part funding provided by Fermanagh & Omagh District Council. Whilst obtaining a ticket is recommended, it is not essential and the band looks forward to welcoming local pipe band fans and those from further afield on the night.
The venue is the city’s Ebrington Square, a public space and tourist attraction built upon the former parade ground at what was the Army’s Ebrington Barracks. The Square is connected to the city centre on the west bank of the River Foyle via the Peace Bridge.
King’s Honours List
Many congratulations to P/M Robert Kirkland (pictured below) on being awarded the British Empire Medal in the recent King’s New Years Honours List ‘For services to the music industry in Northern Ireland’.
Robert, leads William Kerr Memorial, and has been piping in the band for 60 years, a magnificent achievement. This was recognised last summer by the RSPBA NI Branch at the Heart of Down Championship. His band has been elevated to Grade 3B for the 2025 season.
Royal Irish Regiment P/M Colour Sergeant Alan Taggart, a recent Blackthorn Piping Society guest piper, was awarded the King’s Volunteer Reserves Medal.
Royal Nova Scotia Tattoo
Many congratulations to the Force Drum Major team led by Paula Braiden. They have been invited to the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo from June 27th to July 1st at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.
The Tattoo is being promoted under the title ‘FLOURISH’ – very appropriate for an event featuring our top drum majors. They boast multiple World titles. I have little doubt that the ‘Force’ will soon be going into practice mode for the trip of a lifetime.
Band Concerts
A few bands are organising concerts over the coming months, with two marking 75th Anniversaries. Drumlough’s 75th will be held in Hillsborough Presbyterian Church Hall on 8th March. The full list of acts and ticket information will be available very soon.
Tullylagan hold their annual concert on 5th April at the Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown. Both senior and development bands will play, as will Queen Elizabeth (Castledawson) and William Kerr Memorial. Call 028 8676 9949 for tickets or go to www.burnavon.com/…/tullylagan-pipe…/129572120.
Lisbeg Pipe Band’s 75th Anniversary concert is in Corick House Hotel, Clogher, on 12th April. Acts include Roughan Silver, William Sterritt Memorial Flute, Banbridge, and Hilltop Highland Dancers.
Tribute Band
At last year’s All-Irelands one of the attractions was a performance of the 1973 Shotts and Dykehead medley by the 70s Tribute Band. If you didn’t see it you can watch a YouTube video by Brian Hasson. It captures the band’s four rehearsals in the lead up to the All-Irelands. The video lasts around 50 minutes and is very professionally produced.
If you would like to see the band up close you can catch them at the Kids with Cancer Concert in the Royal Hotel, Cookstown, on 22nd March.
Leinster Solos
Leinster Piping & Drumming Solo Championships are on Feb 15 in the National School, Rush, Co. Dublin. A stand-alone contest for IPBA members, it will count towards the Association’s Solo League 2025. Entries close 10th Feb.; send to ipba.leinster.branch@gmail.com; entry fee €10/ £10.
