Northern Ireland Piper of the Year Results

Ken Stewart reports….The annual Northern Ireland Piper of the Year competition was held in the Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena on Saturday 13th October 2018. This is the fortieth year for the event and fourteen players were invited, on merit, to compete for the award. Competitors are required to play Piobaireachd, MSR and Jig & Hornpipe with the overall title being awarded to the player who performs best in the…

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MacStig Previews the World Solo Drumming Championships

Some say his tap is more flim than flam, others that his top head is as thick as a brogue sole and the only thing he knows about bars is how not to pay for his round. All we know is he is our one and only MacStig and that since the season closed he’s been far too quiet……. First thing to say it that I have a passing interest…

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Northern Ireland: Civic Reception Recognises Success of Local Bands

John Kelly reports…. A civic reception was held at Craigavon Conference Centre on Friday 5th October, hosted by the Lord Mayor to recognise the fantastic successes of pipe bands from within the borough of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, during the 2018 pipe band season. Pictured above are the Lord Mayor, Councillor Julie Flaherty, Councillor Mark Baxter (left) and  Alderman Paul Rankin (right) pictured with Pipe Major James Knox MBE…

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Royal National Mod Piping Results (Updated)

Senior and junior events were held today in Kirn Primary School, Dunoon, Argyll. The above picture shows junior winners Gregor MacDonald, Bobby Allen and Brodie Watson-Massey Ceol Mor 1 Gordon McCready, Rinn Friù, Lady Margaret MacDonald’s Salute 2 Archie Drennan, Druim na Drochaid, Battle of the Pass of Crieff 3 Angus Finlay MacPhee, Inbhir Nis, Blind Piper’s Obstinacy Ceol Beag – MSR 1 Gordon McCready, Hugh Alexander Low of Tiree,…

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Bagpipemaker’s Special Donation to WW1 Commemoration

Alastair Dunn, Managing Director, has sent this….Bagpipemaker R.G. Hardie & Co. is playing its unique part in Battle’s Over, an international commemoration project marking 100 years since the guns fell silent at the end of World War I. Organised by Pageantmaster Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, Battle’s Over takes place on November 11th 2018, with events throughout the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and at scores of locations…

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