Author: Gilbert Cromie

Frank Andrews Tribute Concert and New Developments and News from Northern Ireland and Eire

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A small number of tickets, £25 and £15, remain for the P/M Frank Andrews Tribute Concert to be held in the Tullyglass Hotel, Ballymena on Friday April 28th . These can be purchased online through www.ticketsource.co.uk. Headlining the concert will be the 13-time World Champions, Field Marshal Montgomery, which Frank served as drone tuner for some two decades. Also taking part will be a FMM former members’ quartet, while the…

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NI News: Richard’s New Masterclass/ Parade of Champions/ All Ireland Date/ Jim Graham/ Tullylaggan 100/ IPBA Recruiting

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Ulster’s pipe bands are set to benefit from a new masterclass featuring 13 times World Champion, Pipe Major Richard Parkes. The new initiative was announced at Stormont when Ulster-Scots musicians from across Northern Ireland came together at Parliament Buildings to mark their success at last year’s World Pipe Band Championships, in a celebration organised by the Ulster-Scots Agency.  The Great Hall was packed to capacity with pipers, drummers and drum…

More NI News: Richard’s New Masterclass/ Parade of Champions/ All Ireland Date/ Jim Graham/ Tullylaggan 100/ IPBA Recruiting

NI News: Gareth Appointed FMM Leading Tip as Keith Retires/ Matt a Hit at Blackthorn/ Stormont Certificates

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At a celebratory function in the Dunadry Inn last weekend, Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band announced that leading drummer Keith Orr had decided to stand down and that his replacement would be drum corps member Gareth McLees. This brings to an end one of the most successful partnerships in pipe band history. Keith and P/M Richard Parkes have shared in around fifty RSPBA Major Championship successes. This includes 11 World,…

More NI News: Gareth Appointed FMM Leading Tip as Keith Retires/ Matt a Hit at Blackthorn/ Stormont Certificates

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…

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

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