The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Northern Ireland Branch Executive are pleased to announce that the dates for local championships for the 2023 season have now been confirmed.
Through close liaison with our Band representatives and a very productive Pipe Majors and Leading Drummers meeting, RSPBANI Executive have taken every step possible to deliver the best season possible for all built around our Major Championships. With the recent news that the British Championships would not be going ahead in May 2023, our initial announcement was delayed slightly as we set out to consult with band reps and promoters to see what our Bands wanted here in Northern Ireland. Also, with the RSPBA World Championships taking place a week later than usual this year, we have listened and are planning for two August events prior to the Worlds.
We are delighted to announce that our 2023 season will kick off on Saturday 3rd June with the Mid-Ulster Championships in Cookstown, offering an excellent warm up for the UK Championships in Lurgan on June 10th. We are in the final stages for an event on the 17th June at a popular venue prior to the European Champions in Aberdeen on the 24th June.
The All-Ireland Championships which is jointly run between the RSPBANI & the IPBA will take place on Saturday 1st July in Ballymena, with the Ards & North Down Championships now scheduled for the 22nd July prior to the Scottish Championships in Dumbarton on the 29th July. We are in final discussions for a contest on Saturday 5th August and our NI season will close with the Ulster Championships and Champion of Champions in Antrim on the 12th August as we give all our Bands and Drum Majors the best possible send off to the Worlds in Glasgow on the 18th and 19th August.
Branch Chairperson, Mr Alastair Patterson said “We are delighted to see our plans coming together for a full and exciting season, the hard work and efforts behind the scenes will continue as we strive to give everyone the opportunity to Feel Every Beat, Hear Every Note and See Every Flourish”.
RSPBANI Executive also acknowledges the major contribution of our local Councils across Northern Ireland for their continued support in making our events possible and enabling another exciting music-filled summer.
More details and updates will follow over the next few weeks as we look forward to officially launching each individual event; there will also be further updates and information on the branch website www.rspbani.org and social media channels in the coming weeks.
2023 LOCAL CONTESTS – UPDATE
The venue for our contest on 17 June 2023 has now been finalised and we are pleased to announce that The Lisburn & Castlereagh Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships will take place in the familiar surroundings of Moira Demesne.
2023 LOCAL CONTESTS – FINAL VENUE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED
The RSPBANI are pleased to confirm the Heart O’ Down Championships will be held in Donard Park on Saturday 5 August 2023. Negotiations with local Council have resulted in generous parking available on the Hill.
