Mid Ulster Championships Returns to Cookstown with New Piping Quartet Contest
The Mid Ulster Section of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch has officially launched its 2026 events — and this year brings both a welcome return of the familiar outdoor Championships and an exciting new event in the district.
Outdoor Championships Back on the Lower Pitches
The Mid Ulster Pipe Band + Drum Major Championships will once again take place in the familiar surroundings of Cookstown High School on Saturday 6 June 2026, beginning at 11am. After last year’s temporary move to the upper pitches, the event returns to its traditional arenas following the completion of essential maintenance on the lower fields.
Visitors can expect the same warm Mid Ulster welcome, with ample parking across the school grounds and a shuttle bus service running throughout the day to help transport spectators between car parks and the contest area. Accessible parking for blue badge holders will be bookable in advance via the 🔗event page, and details will be added soon.
Entries remain open until 11 May:
🔗Band entries | 🔗Drum Major entries
As always, the Mid Ulster Section aims to keep events open and accessible. A £5 parking fee per vehicle will apply for those parking on-site, with cash, card, and contactless payments accepted. All proceeds directly support the running of the Championships.
A full range of food and drink vendors will be available, with catering tender applications still open until 8 May 2026. 🔗Click here for more info
Launch Event – Back Row L-R: John Gilmore, Section Committee Member; Geoffrey Hamilton, RSBPA Director and Treasurer of the Mid Ulster Section; Normal Bell, Vice President of the Mid Ulster Section; George Barclay, Section Committee Member; Front Row L-R: Gwyneth Evans, Principal of Cookstown High School and Vice President of the Mid Ulster Section; Mr Sam Glasgow MBE, President of the Mid Ulster Section; Councillor Frances Burton, Chair of Mid Ulster District Council; Councillor Trevor Wilson, Chair of the Mid Ulster Section;
The 2026 Championships was officially launched at an event held on Tuesday 14 April in The Royal Hotel in Cookstown. The event was attended by Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Frances Burton who welcomed the return of the Championships, praising the dedication and discipline of the competitors and the value the event brings to Cookstown’s visitor economy.
A New Addition: The Mid Ulster Piping Quartet Contest
For the first time, the Mid Ulster Section will also host a brand-new event — the Mid Ulster Piping Quartet Contest — offering an intimate indoor platform dedicated solely to piping performance.
Taking place on Saturday 9 May 2026 at Cookstown Primary School, the contest will feature quartets of four pipers performing together on a single stage. With 15 quartets entered over 32 performances scheduled across graded sections, the event promises a rich and focused musical experience. 🔗Click here to see the draw.
Admission for spectators is £5, payable by cash, card, or contactless at the door. Competitors will be admitted free of charge.
Mid Ulster Section Chairperson Cllr. Trevor Wilson expressed his enthusiasm for the expanded programme, noting that supporting new ideas while honouring tradition is central to the Section’s work. He also extended thanks to the Section volunteers for their work in bringing these two events together and to both Cookstown High School and Cookstown Primary School for their support in hosting them. He also extended his gratitude to Mid Ulster District Council for its sponsoring of the outdoor championships once again.
Section Members at the Launch Event – L-R: Serena Hamilton, Section Committee Member; Carl Stirrup, Section Committee Member; Councillor Trevor Wilson, Chair of the Mid Ulster; Gwyneth Evans, Principal of Cookstown High School and Vice President of the Mid Ulster Section; Marcus Farrell, Section Committee Member; Richard Montgomery, Section Committee Member;
Looking Ahead to Two Great Days of Music
With both the outdoor Championships and the new indoor Quartet Contest now firmly in place, the Mid Ulster Section looks forward to welcoming bands, drum majors, supporters, and visitors to Cookstown for two memorable days celebrating the talent from across Northern Ireland and beyond.
For those wishing to explore the local area before or after these events, more information can be found at: 🔗VisitMidUlster.com
