Northern Ireland Pipe Band Round Up

All-Ireland Pipe Band Championships: The spacious grounds of Ballymena Academy were the venue for Ireland’s premier pipe band competition which took place on Saturday 1st July. The weather was ever changing but never cold. The popularity and importance of this competition to the pipe band fraternity on the island of Ireland was illustrated by a large attendance as friendships were made or renewed around the arenas and tuning areas. The variable…

Masters Solo Piping Results

This competition was held yesterday in the Piping Centre in Glasgow. Overall winner was Bruce Gandy (pictured) who now qualifies to play at the Glenfiddich in October. Twenty-five entered the light music and 20 the piobaireachd. The competition is only open to Gold Medallists and winners of ‘A’ grade light music events at Oban and Inverness. Pipers were notified of their tunes a week beforehand. Piobaireachd1 Bruce Gandy, Unjust Incarceration2…

Mighty Creighton Takes British Solo Drumming Title

The British Adult Solo Snare Drumming Championship was held today in Glasgow and organised by the RSPBA’s Glasgow & West of Scotland Branch. The winner was Stephen Creighton, Leading Drummer of St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band, Dublin. Piping for Stephen was Lee Moore also of SLOT (see pic below). 1st place – Stephen Creighton, St. Lawrence O’Toole 2nd place – Grant Cassidy, Uddingston 3rd place – Ryan King, Edradour Pitlochry…

Nethybridge Games Results

A particular feature of Nethybridge Games is that the Piobaireachd board has seats around it – something which could well be replicated by others.  A downpour delayed the start but the day (Saturday, August 12) was warm after that.  Andrew Donlon USA (pictured last Saturday) was Champion Piper. Eight played. Piobaireachd 1 Anna Kummerlöw – Finlay’s Lament2 Gordon Barclay – Lament for Viscount Dundee3 Hamish Munro – MacLeod’s Salute4 Kyle Cameron…

North Berwick Grade 1 Band Results

Warm with the occasional heavy rain shower on the east coast. A strong lineup of bands in the last contest before the Worlds. The Grade 1 MSR contest was open to Grade 2 bands who wished to “play up”. Overall1 Inveraray2 Boghall3 Scottish Power Medley1 Inveraray 2 Boghall 3 Scottish Power 4 Shotts5 Manawatu (NZ)6 Canterbury (NZ)Judges: T Brown, B Donaldson (Piping), D Millar (Drums), R Worrall (Ensemble) MSR1 Boghall…