Piping and Drumming enthusiasts are in for a real treat on May 9th when Cloughfin Pipe Band (Kildress) present intimate, world class solo performances from legendary piping and drumming duo Stuart Liddell and Steven McWhirter. Grade 3B Cloughfin are celebrating their centenary this year and this special event is one of a number they’ll be organising. Stuart and Steven provide the leadership for the current World Champions Inveraray & District,…

RSPBANI Branch are marking their 75th Anniversary this Saturday with a Gala Dinner in the La Mon Hotel & Country Club. This will be a formal black-tie gala event featuring a drinks reception followed by a three-course dinner, live music and plenty of dancing. The NI Branch will be celebrating their people, partnerships and progress. There will also be a charity raffle on the evening with some fantastic prizes up for…

I surmised in my November bulletin that there remained the potential for a UK Championships in Northern Ireland, particularly with the 2026 All-Ireland Fleadh coming to Belfast from the 2nd – 9th August. My thinking was based on the fact that a significant amount of funding would be going toward that event, and that with Ulster Scots events were becoming more prevalent within the Irish folk scene for example at the…

Several RSPBA NI Branch bands are proposing to launch second bands to compete in the 2026 season. Bangor-based Cleland Memorial has announced that they are launching a Grade 4B band and are seeking pipers and drummers who are looking for a fresh start, a new challenge, or to get back into playing. Cleland has an outstanding record of producing talented players as witnessed by those who attend the Blackthorn Pipers…

The latest minutes of an RSPBA Directors meeting which took place  by video conference on Saturday 4th October indicate the dates of four of next season’s RSPBA Major contests, namely the British on 30th May at Ingliston, Europeans on 27th June at Perth, Scottish on 25th July in Dumbarton, and the Worlds on 14th/15th August at Glasgow Green. Only four majors, but no mention of a United Kingdom Championships and…