The Mid-Ulster Section of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch celebrates its sixtieth anniversary this year. The first contest held by the Mid-Ulster Section, under the umbrella of the Scottish Pipe Band Association, was on Saturday, 2nd July, 1955, at Killymoon Demesne, Cookstown.
The 60th Mid-Ulster Championships for pipe bands and drum majors will be held on Saturday, 2nd August, at the Mid-Ulster Sports Arena (MUSA), Tullywiggan Road, Cookstown. There is an excellent entry of 47 bands and 49 drum majors with bands attending from right across Ireland. Battlehill Pipe Band will be the first band to compete at 11:40
The organisers are operating a free shuttle bus to those attending the contest. This town centre shuttle bus will be available to pick up passengers at the front of the Mid-Ulster Sports Arena and transport them to The Burnavon Arts and Cultural Centre, Burn Road, Cookstown. This service will be available from 12.00 noon to 4.00 p.m.
Pictured at the launch of this year’s Mid-Ulster Championships are, from left: Lynn Shiels, Town Strategy manager (acting); Desmond McLaughlin, Secretary Mid-Ulster Section; Alex Crooks, Vice-President Mid-Ulster Section; Wilbert Buchanan, Chairman Cookstown District Council; Lowry Ferguson, Chieftain; Sam Glasgow M.B.E., President Mid-Ulster Section; Oliver McShane, Head of Sports Services Cookstown District Council; and Ray Hall, Chairman Northern Ireland Branch.
