Throughout the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s the band were regularly featured on BBC Northern Ireland Radio programmes such as ‘Ulster Band’. In 1974 they were invited to perform in a BBC television programme entitled ‘The Rock of Fergus’ along with The Pattersons folk group and harpist Deirdre O’Callaghan. It was one of a number of television appearances throughout this period. The band is pictured above 1974/75 at Carrickfergus Castle. The band…

Following the retiral of Harry Denyer, Tommy Geddis took on the role of Pipe Major which he held for two years, 1955 – 1956, after which his family went to live in Canada. The RAMS are pictured above in 1956. From the 1955 season the Armstrong played in the Open Grade at home whilst in Scotland it was Grade 3. Successes included winning the Open Grade Ulster title (also drums)…

Our Northern Ireland correspondent Gilbert Cromie begins a history of one of Ulster’s iconic pipe bands of yesteryear, a band that help lay the foundation of the Province’s modern, burgeoning pipe band movement….. The Robert Armstrong Memorial Pipe Band was formed in the autumn of 1947 by members of the Church Lads’ Brigade Pipe Band which was connected to St Aiden’s Parish Church, Blythe Street, Belfast.  The St Aiden’s Church…

In 1972 the band were selected, along with the Robert Armstrong Memorial (Grade 1), Dromara (Grade 2), Howard Memorial (Grade 3), and Ballykeel Moneyrea (Grade 4), to represent Northern Ireland at the Intercontinental Gathering at the CNE in Toronto, Canada. They were placed ninth as a band and fourth in drumming. Along with the Armstrong Memorial, they were invited back again in August 1977 to compete once again at this…

Tom Anderson, from Paisley, Scotland, was posted to Dublin by his employer in the late 1960s and he was engaged by the St. Patrick’s Donaghmore Pipe Band to become their Pipe Major and tutor. He had been the Pipe Major of the Renfrew, later British Caledonian Airways, Pipe Band. Whilst in Ireland he became All Ireland (1971 and 1978) and Ulster (1980) Solo Piping Champion. For a short time before…