Latest News
There is no overnight parking allowed in Castle Gardens for motor homes at the Ulster Pipe Band Championships. Parking is available at the dedicated Lough Shore Caravan park (tel.02894464963). It is a leisurely 10 minute walk from Caravan Park to Antrim Castle Gardens along the river edge.
Drum Major Dress time for the County Antrim Championships at Glenarm is noon.
The draw for the County Antrim Championships is now online and can be accessed by clicking here.
Lisnamulligan Pipe Band have seats available on their Coach for the Scottish Championships in Dumbarton on the 29th of July.
Outward journey: Leaving 4 pm Friday, 28th July staying at the Erskine Bridge Hotel, breakfast included. Return journey: Sailing, 11 pm on Saturday 29th July.
The cost is £100.00, if interested please contact Ally Kerr or any member of the band.
The RSPBANI Branch County Down Section recently held a prize draw for a set of Peter Henderson Bagpipes which were kindly donated by R.G. Hardie and Company, Glasgow. The draw raised £1000.00 for the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice.
Photo (left)
Lorraine Ronaldson (President of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, Co. Down Section) and the Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Alderman Gareth Wilson (Chieftain of the Day) pictured presenting a cheque for £1000 to Diane Cherry (NI Children’s Hospice) at the Craigavon & District Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships in Lurgan Park on Saturday 17th June 2017. The money was raised in a prize draw for a set of bagpipes and looking on is Richard Parkes MBE (Pipe Major of Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band) with the set of bagpipes which were donated for the prize draw by R.G. Hardie & Co from Glasgow. Photo by John Kelly.
Photo (right)
Alastair Dunn, (Managing Director of R.G. Hardie Bagpipes) presents the pipes to the winner of the prize draw, Robert Smith from Ayrshire.
Local piper and drummer, William Wallace and Barney Megoran will be offering piping and drumming workshops every Wednesday during July and August at the Arnold Hall, near Spa Presbyterian Church [BT24 8YY] outside Ballynahinch.
These workshops are open for all although starting from children who are starting P5 in September. There is no charge for the summer school but beginners will be required to purchase their own chanter or drum pad and sticks. William or Barney can arrange to get these.
Come along on Wednesday 5th July for enrolment and registration and a workshop any time from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
After the initial registration, more details of the lessons will be given as students will be required to come at different times depending on their level.
(Kindly sponsored by The Ulster-Scots Agency)
All Ireland Band, Grade 4A and 4B (5) Dual Registered Drummers:
Please note that when there is a clash of local rule between the RSPBA and the IPBA , the RSPBA rule is the rule that is followed as the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships is deemed to be equivalent to a Scottish Major. Under RSPBA rules for Majors, dual registered drumming instructors are not allowed to compete with Grade 4A and Grade 4B bands, therefore, such instructors will not be allowed to compete with 4A and 4B bands in the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships.
Drum Major dress time for the All Ireland championships is 11.30 am
