Piping and Drumming enthusiasts are in for a real treat on May 9th when Cloughfin Pipe Band (Kildress) present intimate, world class solo performances from legendary piping and drumming duo Stuart Liddell and Steven McWhirter.
Grade 3B Cloughfin are celebrating their centenary this year and this special event is one of a number they’ll be organising. Stuart and Steven provide the leadership for the current World Champions Inveraray & District, as well as being outstanding solo performers in their respective disciplines.
This promises to be a rousing evening of tradition, virtuosity and unforgettable music for enthusiasts and the general public. The venue, The Burnavon, is located on Burn Road, Cookstown, and tickets are available for £25 (Adults) and £15 (Children). Buy them here.
RSPBA NI events for 2026: There are four solo, one full band indoor and eight local contests including the All-Ireland. Some of the venues are to be officially confirmed by councils over the coming weeks. The season starts on the 21st March with the McDonald Memorial Juvenile solos in Dromore High School.
A month later and there is a double header with the RSPBA’s United Kingdom Solo Drumming in Cookstown (Fri. 17th April) and on Saturday 18th the Ulster Solos. Dromore High School also hosts the County Down Full Band Indoor 27th April.
The outdoor season commences in Irvinestown, a new venue for the County Fermanagh Championships. That contest will provide the opportunity for some outdoor practice for any band travelling to Edinburgh for the British the following week.
There then follows five contests in a row: the Mid Ulsters in Cookstown, 6th June, the UKs in Belfast, 13th June, a branch contest on 20th June at a venue yet to be announced, the Europeans in Perth on 27th June, and the first half of the season comes to an end with the 79th All – Irelands, Lucan, on 4th July.
After a two-week break we have a branch contest on July 18th at a venue yet to be announced. On the 25th July it’s the Scottish at Dumbarton and two weeks later, August 8th, another branch contest at a venue yet to be announced, ahead of the World Championships on 14th / 15th August.
It’s great to report that this year the local outdoor season ends after the Worlds, as it always used to, with the Champion of Champions Contest on 22nd August at a venue yet to be announced.
RSPBA NI Branch are seeking volunteer compilers and photographers for the 2026 season. Compilers are present at every championship event and, as a team, work together in a highly organised and efficient manner to ensure the smooth and accurate delivery of results.
The current NI Branch Compilers Team comprises Clifford Mitchell, Ivan Crothers, Andrew Graham and Emma Crothers, some of whom have served in this role for over two decades. As they look to the future, they feel it’s now time to welcome new volunteers to join and ensure the high standards of our local compiling operations continues.
This is an excellent opportunity to get involved, to become part of a great team and continue to support our championships. If you’re interested in joining the Compilers Team, please e-mail contests@rspbani.org .
The NI Branch are also on the lookout for photographers to augment their very successful team to help them continue capturing all the special moments from their championships, from the passion of the pipers and drummers to the precision of the Drum Majors — and of course, the spirit and enthusiasm of the supporters and spectators. Get in touch via the same email address.
Scottish Power’s John McIlmurry (pictured above) was the guest piper at the Blackthorn Pipers Society’s first event of 2026. He was in outstanding form which was enjoyed by a slightly smaller attendance given what was an horrendous day of rain. Other players on the night were Alan Glenholmes, Shaun Townsley, Glen Cupples, Graham Harris and Ben Cardy. The Society meets in the Ulster Scots Community Network building at 1-9 Victoria St, Belfast BT1 3GA with doors opening at 7pm.
- If you have any news from the NI piping and pipe band scene you’d like to pass on to Gilbert, please email him here.
