Author: Gilbert Cromie

Northern Ireland Report: Ashley and Bradley Star in London/ Certificates Awarded/ Jason at Blackthorn/ Band Fundraising

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It was great to see pupils from a number of County Down schools amongst the recipients of the foundation certificates for piping and drumming awarded by the Ulster-Scots Agency and the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (NI). The Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, was the setting for this event.  The young people attended as part of a joint tuition programme developed by the Agency and the RSPBANI branch, initially to…

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Ulster News: Blackthorn Pipers/ RSPBANI AGM/ Show Returns/ Paddy Kelly/ Dundalk/ St Mary’s

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On the third Wednesday of the months of September and October the Blackthorn Pipers Society welcomed guest pipers Kris Coyle and Ashley McMichael. Both of these Field Marshal Montgomery pipers were in outstanding form and videos of theirs and other players’ performances can be seen on the Blackthorn Society’s Facebook page. The Society meets in the Discover Ulster Scots Building, 1-9 Victoria Street Belfast BT1 3GA and it will continue…

More Ulster News: Blackthorn Pipers/ RSPBANI AGM/ Show Returns/ Paddy Kelly/ Dundalk/ St Mary’s

Northern Ireland Round-Up: Belfast Tattoo/ Pipe Band College/ World Solo Drumming/ Blackthorn/ All Irelands

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After two years absence, the Belfast International Tattoo finally returned on September 2nd and 3rd with three shows at the SSE Arena. The cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 shows placed many challenges at the door of the organisers. I was present on the Saturday night when there was a very good attendance and I understand that was the case across the other two shows. This has obviously encouraged the…

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Northern Ireland Pipe Band Round – Up: Part 1

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The second half of the Northern Ireland competition season got underway with the Ulster Championships on July 23rd in the grounds of Ballymena Academy. It proved to be a very successful event with a large crowd and decent weather except for a heavy shower mid-afternoon. There were thirty one band entries and twenty six drum majors. A Highland dancing competition was also in full swing throughout the day such is…

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Heart of Down Contest Brings Curtain Down on the NI Branch Season

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Donard Park in Newcastle, County Down, was the setting for the Heart of Down Pipe Band Championships, the final event of the RSPBANI Branch outdoor competition season and also the conclusion of the 2022 Champion of Champions league calculated on the five competitions over the summer.  The competition had the largest entry of bands and drum majors at any local contest this season and there was also a largely attended…

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