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…

All Ireland Pipe Band Championships

Field Marshal Montgomery (pictured) made a clean sweep at the All Ireland Grade 1 Pipe Band Championship held at Lurgan, Northern Ireland, today winning both MSR & Medley. Runners up were St Laurence O’Toole from Dublin. Grade 2 went to Manorcunnigham. Get full results and summaries here. Check Piping Press later for a full report from the All Irelands. Read our report on the history of the competition here. [wds…

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…

Thornton Highland Gathering Information (Updated)

Organisers have asked us to point out that solo piping entries for this well-run little games in Fife can be made on the field tomorrow (July 1) until 11 am. Venue is Memorial Park, Thornton. There are events for senior and junior pipers. Judges for the solo piping are E Anderson and A Frater. Thornton had also planned to stage a pipe band and drum major contest with  Open, Grade 2, Grade…

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…