Latest News
The following link shows the route for this year's parade after the Portrush competition, this is the same route that was taken last year. The attached picture shows the parade termination point. Bands can either turn in the direction of the East Strand Car Park or towards Bath Street. Over the past number of years, the Branch Executive have been concerned about the safety implications of terminating the parade at an open road junction. We've tried a number of stewarding options but none of these have delivered the safety improvements that we feel are necessary. This termination point allows us to disperse the parade in a safe pedestrian area with the minimal impact to the normal parade route.
We must also remind Drum Majors that, following a robust risk assessment process, high throws will not be permitted on the parade and flourishing must be restricted to close body work.
https://goo.gl/maps/9Du6vpHpZ1x
Friday 18th August from 10 am North West Highland Dancing Competition at Kerr Street Green, Portrush.
Saturday 19th of August, North West Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships, Portrush Recreation Grounds, Ramore Head commencing at noon.
NEW for 2017 - Live Concert & Fireworks on Saturday 19th August from 8 pm at Lansdowne North, Portrush.
The RSPBANI Branch will hold a World Drumming Solo Pre-Qualifier in which two competitors will have the chance to secure a place in the Semi Final of the 2017 World Solo Drumming Championships.
The Pre-qualifier will be held in Greystone Primary School Antrim, Friday 8th September 2017 at 7 pm.
Competitors must be over 18 as of 1st November 2016, two MSR's to be submitted, minimum 4 parts each and the set to play will be chosen by the Director responsible for overseeing the qualifying heat. All competitors and accompanying pipers must wear band uniform.
Closing date for entries Saturday 2nd September at noon, entry fee is £10.00 and must be paid before the entry closing date.
Please send names along with both MSR's to the Branch Secretary, danielle.mccartney@rspbani.org or to info@rspbani.org and post entry fees to Unit 34 Crescent Business, Park, Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, BT28 2GN.
Please see attached syllabus and entry form.
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, Northern Ireland Branch is extremely proud of all our competitors (and indeed supporters) who travelled over to Glasgow Green for the World Championships and acquitted themselves so well.
Our warmest congratulations to Tullylagan Drum Corps on becoming the Grade 4A World Champion Drum Corps; to Jason Price on becoming the World Champion Adult Drum Major; to James Kennedy on winning the World Champion Juvenile Drum Major grade and to Rachel Lowry who won the World Champion Junior Drum Major grade.
A good number of our competitors were also successful in progressing through the heats to the finals and the prize lists all featured Northern Ireland Bands and Drum Majors. We look forward to the next World Championship back on Glasgow Green in 2018 and to our final contest of the Northern Ireland season at Portrush on Saturday.
Bands
Grade 1
2nd: Field Marshal Montgomery
Well done also to the Police Service of Northern Ireland on qualifying for the final.
Grade 2
Well done to Closkelt on qualifying for the final.
Grade 3A
3rd Marlacoo
Grade 3B
3rd Quinn Memorial
5th Major Sinclair Memorial
Grade 4A
2nd Tullylagan
3rd McNeillstown
5th Cullybackey
Drums
Tullylagan
Well done also to McDonald Memorial on qualifying for the final.
Grade 4B
2nd Kildoag
3rd Lisnamulligan (Also Champions of Champions Band for 2017)
Well done to Ballyboley and Major Sinclair Memorial on qualifying for the final.
Drum Majors
Adult
1st Jason Price (Also Champions of Champions Adult Drum Major for 2017)
2nd Alicia Dickson Hamilton BEM
3rd Andrea McKeown Gibson
4th Lauren Abraham
6th Lauren Hanna
Congratulations also to Vikki Singer on qualifying for the Semi-final.
Juvenile
1st James Kennedy
2nd Lana Gibson
3rd Emma Barr (Also Champions of Champions Juvenile Drum Major for 2017)
5th Kathryn McKeown
6th Jason Nicholl
Junior
1st Rachel Lowry
2nd Jamie Cupples (Also Champions of Champions Junior Drum Major for 2017)
3rd Abigail Wenlock
5th Lucas Adamson
6th Kara Gilmour
Drum Major dress time for the North West Championships is 11.00 am.
The draw for the North West Championships is now online and can be accessed by clicking here.
Augharan Pipe Band coach trip to Worlds 10th to 13th August 17 have available a double room and a place in a twin room available in the Premier Inn Charing Cross.
For further information contact Band Secretary 07989536545.
Drum Major dress time for the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Championships is 11.00 am.
