Launch of Mid Ulster Championships 2025
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch Mid Ulster Section with the support of Mid Ulster District Council is pleased to announce the launch of the Mid Ulster Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships 2025. This event will again be held in the fantastic and familiar grounds of Cookstown High School, a few minutes from the town centre and will take place on Saturday 7 June from 10am.
Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Eugene McConnell said:
“The Council is delighted to support this year’s Mid Ulster Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships once again. I had the privilege of attending last year’s event, which was a memorable experience with spectacular sights and sounds, incredible displays of skill and talent, and a wonderful atmosphere.
It is an event that is of significant value to Cookstown in particular, making a large contribution to the town’s visitor economy as it welcomes pipers and drummers from near and far. I wish all the competitors taking part the best of luck on the day and hope everyone has a fantastic competition.”
Chair of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch Mid Ulster Section, Mr Trevor Wilson said:
“We in the Mid Ulster Section always look forward to the first Saturday in June each year when our hard work throughout the Winter and into Spring pays off. With the sound of pipes and drums filling the air and the sight of drum majors marching and flourishing, showcasing the sheer dedication and talent of bands people from across Northern Ireland and further afield, it really is a fantastic spectacle to have right in the heart of Mid Ulster.
We are once again indebted to the Mid Ulster District Council for supporting this annual event –without Council support, the event would certainly not be possible. My sincere thanks go to Gwyneth Evans, Principal of Cookstown High School and her staff for once again allowing the contest to be hosted in the school grounds. I also want to thank all our team and the other volunteers for their hard work and really look forward to seeing everyone on the day.
As always, we will keep our fingers crossed for some good weather!”
For this year, the contest will move to the top playing fields of the school campus due to essential maintenance taking place on the lower pitches. There will of course be the same ample parking for everyone and this will be around the main school campus with a shuttle bus in operation all day to transport people to and from the carparks and the main contest site.
There will be Accessible Parking for those with a Blue Badge and people will be able to apply for this in advance through the Branch website at www.rspbani.org/event/mid-ulster-pipe-band-championships-2025 shortly. All event information will be updated regularly on this event page also.
Whilst the Mid Ulster Section always try to keep events free for everyone, there will be a small charge of £5 per vehicle to park within the school grounds and we will be accepting cash and card payments at the gate. This money directly contributes to the overall running of the day and our volunteers will be in place to guide everyone.
There will be plenty of food and drink vendors on the day and applications for tender will be opened shortly and published on the Branch website.
This year’s advertising poster for the event features Pipe Major Conor McCallion of local Mid Ulster district band, Cloughfin Pipe Band from Kildress.
For media enquiries or any further details please contact:
Erinn McIlwaine, Marketing & Media Chairperson on 07515 556025 or email media@rspbani.org
Photo Back Row L-R:
Ray Hall MBE, RSPBA Director for Northern Ireland; Pipe Major Alan Ferguson, Matt Boyd Memorial Pipe Band (Pomeroy) and RSPBA Music Board Representative for Northern Ireland; Danielle McCartney, Secretary of Mid Ulster Section and Honourable Secretary of the Northern Ireland Branch; Erinn McIlwaine, Chair of Marketing and Media for the Northern
Ireland Branch; Patricia Pedlow, Branch Project Officer.
Photo Front Row L-R:
Sam Glasgow MBE, President of the Mid Ulster Section; Councillor Eugene McConnell, Chair of Mid Ulster District Council; Councillor Trevor Wilson, Chair of the Mid Ulster Section; Normal Bell, Vice President of the Mid Ulster Section.
