Fints are Instrumental in Formation of All Ireland Championships Created in 1946

We continue with part three of our history of the famous Fintan Lalor Pipe Band from the south of Ireland. Few of the bands from Northern Ireland, outside of the small number that competed in the Oireachtas or Feis events in Southern Ireland, would have ever have seen or heard the Fintan Lalor in action. However they most certainly would have heard them on the radio as they had broadcast…

Oban and Inverness Cancelled

Both major solo contests at the Northern Meeting and Argyllshire Gathering have been cancelled for 2021, it was announced today. Alan Forbes for the NM: ‘With great regret, the Northern Meeting Piping Committee has decided to cancel the competition again this year, due to the ongoing uncertainty created by the coronavirus epidemic.  ‘Progress with the vaccination programme and the relaxation of many of the constraints associated with the epidemic give…

My Days Learning from the Greatest Piper in the World – Iain Murdo Morrison

The passing of P/M Iain Murdo Morrison six months ago still resonates among those who knew him. Here reader Alasdair MacIver looks back on his time with the master piper. Alasdair is pictured above right with Iain Morrison junior playing at a house ceilidh in December 1990 as their proud tutor looks on. It has taken me some time to be able to write this. Iain Murdo Morrison was my…

Atholl Gathering Online Piping 2021

Results  Overall Champion John Dew (above) Under 18 Champion Robin Sulzer  P/A/non CPA Piobaireachd 1 Ben McClamrock – Park Piobaireachd 2 2 Pipe Major Ben Duncan – MacDougall’s Gathering 3 Jamie Forrester – Battle of Bealach nam Brog  Judges: I Duncan, C MacLellan  7 played.  B Piobaireachd 1 Scott Armstrong – Big Spree 2 John Dew – Isabel MacKay 3 Fraser Allison – Rory MacLoude’s Lament  Judges – Final: A MacDonald, R Hawke; Heats: C Armstrong, A…

Editor’s Notebook: Northern Ireland Leads the Breakout/ Interview/ SPA Solos/ Queen’s Own Pictures/ Jakez’s Tune for Bob Hardie

Cue Steve McQueen and his motorbike……The Northern Ireland Branch of the RSPBA are leading the great escape with an announcement yesterday of their summer festival. And it will include competitiive solo piping and drumming. It is not clear if these will be held outdoors or in, but anything live and I’ll take it. The date is August 21 in Cookstown. The branch have other summer festival events lined up, though…