The lads and lassies of Closkelt got their deserved reward after a sterling 2019 season where only the final hurdle of the Grade 2 World Championship eluded them. They picked up three of the other Majors and in a fourth were not present, but caught the ear of the RSPBA’s Music Board enough to be promoted to the higher echelon, to Grade 1, for 2020. Band members are pictured above…

A packed gym hall at the Lusk National School north of Dublin saw Ashley McMichael of Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band crowned All Ireland Champion Piper for 2019. Ashley is pictured above with his trophy. There was more success for Field Marshal in the ‘A’ piobaireachd where Scott Wallace triumphed with his rendition of the King’s Taxes, and in the ‘B’ MSR where Alastair Donaghy came out on top. In…

Kilmarnock Pipe Band have sent this…. We are delighted to announce that Dave Harling has been appointed as Leading Drummer. Dave has a wealth of experience in top level performance having spent the previous 3 years in Johnstone Pipe Band, 5 years in the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band and a year in Bleary and District Pipe Band. Dave said: “I’m delighted at having been asked to be part of…

I write from my room overlooking the Irish Sea. Just north of Dublin. I’m here for the All Ireland Solos. Two hundred and one pipers and drummers. Yes, that’s right 201 and not a penny in prizemoney. The record entry is split 55-45% in the pipers’ favour. By Robert Wallace John Wilson and I are picked up by the Irish Pipe Band Associations’s Vice President Seamus Russell. A fiddle with…

In concluding his informative articles on pipe band adjudication former judge Alistair Aitken OBE identifies specific factors associated with pipe band assessment. This should serve as a ‘ready reckoner’ for all bands competing and non-competing. Mr Aitken splits his list of ‘requirements’ into three sections, drumming, ensemble and piping which where he begins. Introduction No sound from drones until 5th beat of 3-pace rolls All drones in together accurately and…