Iain Dall Young Pipers Festival

‘It is clear that local councils’ investment in providing tuition to young people in Scotland’s national instrument is creating a generation of fantastic pipers able to perform and compete to an extremely high standard,’ said Dr Decker Forest, judging the Iain Dall Young Pipers Festival at Gairloch on Saturday 23rd September. ‘This year’s competition featured excellent performances from some of the country’s best young pipers as well as local entrants,…

PP Ed’s Blog: Fintan Lalor/ Andrew Donaldson (pix added)/ SG KO/ Florida/ Russian Tune Book

Joe Fitzpatrick from Dublin has sent these names from the above picture of the Fintan Lalor Pipe Band parading in Dublin in the 1960s. Joe writes: ‘In the front row are P/M Tim Keogh, Colum O’Brien, Liam Keogh and P/Sgt Tommy Moore. Middle row from the right are Anthony Fitzpatrick, not sure, Bisto Keogh;  Back – Paddy Leeh, Jimmy Hennessy and myself. The side drummer is Frank Saunders. Some names I…

Victorian Solo Pipers Association Annual Championship Results and Pictures

Murray Blair reports: The Victorian Solo Pipers Association (VPA) based in Australia, recently (Saturday, Sept 9, 2017) held it’s Annual Championships at Scotch College, Melbourne.  Formed in 2003, the VPA facilitates solo piping competitions, along with regular workshops, piping nights and has a membership of just under 100. A focus of the association has been resurrecting the playing of piobaireachd which almost completely died out during the 90s. Its resurgence can…

All-Ireland Solo Piping & Drumming Results

Last Saturday (September 15) saw the All Ireland Solo Piping and Drumming Championships take place at the Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun, Dublin. There was an excellent entry across the grades although a few of the drumming sections were on the low side however the standard of playing was of the highest quality. The picture above is of FMM pipers Kris Coyle, winner of the Senior Piobaireachd event, and Ashley McMichael…

Springbank Invitational Results (Updated)

The annual competition sponsored by the local Springbank Distillery and organised by William McCallum was held on Saturday, Sept 15. It affords the local piping community in Campbeltown and Kintyre the the opportunity of hearing some of the best pipers on the professional circuit. The above picture shows all competitors with trophies and generous helpings of the sponsors’ fine brew. Ceol Mor 1 Roderick MacLeod, Lament for MacSwan of Roaig…