All-Ireland Pipe Band Championships Report and Pictures

Lurgan Park, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, once again came alive with the music of pipe bands when the prestigious All-Ireland Pipe Band Championships were held in the picturesque park for the first time on Saturday 1st July, write John Kelly and Andrew Cromie.  The championships rotate each year between a venue in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.  It isnow in its 72nd year. It is one of the…

Pipe Band Magazine for July Now Available

Get the July edition of the RSPBA’s official magazine now! Packed with features about pipe bands and drum majors and with all the news from YOUR Association. Join thousands of other readers worldwide and download your free copy now. Articles include: Remembering P/M Iain McLeod – one of the greats Know Your Judges – David Brown under the spotlight Shotts – P/M Canning talks of the forthcoming blockbuster concert during…

A Brief History of the All-Ireland Pipe Band Championships

Saturday sees this important pipe band competition being held at  Lurgan, Northern Ireland. Here our correspondent in the Province, John Kelly (left), RSPBANI Honorary Vice-President, takes a look back at the championship. John acknowledges that much of what is below has been compiled largely from an article by the late Fred Walker, former President of the Northern Ireland Branch of the RSPBA. The picture above is of the Field Marshal…

Piobaireachd Can Touch the Heart of Every Piper

There we were one evening last week well-fed with drams encouraging loquacity among our most reticent. As always the atmosphere at the New England Pipe and Drum Academy was warm and friendly. The conversation turned to ceol mor. The first question, how best to describe this music – what name should we use. In Gaelic ‘ceol mor’, great music, was more accurate, ‘piobaireachd’ simply translating as ‘piping’. This was fine…

Preview of the Grade 2 European Pipe Band Championship

The major pipe band championship wagon will again roll into the Highland town of Forres this Saturday for the Europeans, writes our Special Correspondent.  Past events have been blessed with improving weather, big crowds and excellent facilities in and around Grant Park. The local organisers really pull out the stops and bands have been welcomed into the bus park with hampers of goodies, visitors have enjoyed the food festival and…