Band Tartan

Closkelt
Grade 1

Founded: 1938
Tartan: Drumgooland
Section: County Down
Registered Band No: 761

Band Website: none

Key People
Pipe Major: vacant
Pipe Sergeant: Johnny Chesney
Leading Drummer: vacant
Bass Drummer: Erinn McIlwaine
Drum Major: Louise Smiton

Band Secretary: Erinn McIlwaine
Band Secretary e-mail: closkeltpb@gmail.com

Practice Information
Time: Thursday nights from 8pm to 10pm.
Location: Bleary Young Farmers Hall, 26 Upper Ballydugan Rd, Bleary, Craigavon BT63 5NU

About Closkelt
Formed in 1938 in the townland of Drumgooland, Closkelt, deep in the middle of County Down, Closkelt Pipe Band evolved from a local group into a competitive pipe band.

Under Pipe Major David Chesney (joined 2010), it won the 2011 Grade 4B World Championship and reached Grade 1 by 2019.

  • Formation (1938): Established in rural County Down, Northern Ireland.
  • Re-emergence (2007-2010): The band, under Mr. James Knox MBE, re-entered competition in 2007, later strengthening with the addition of PM David Chesney.
  • Meteoric Rise (2011-2019): Won the Grade 4B World Championship in 2011. They were promoted to Grade 4A (2012), Grade 3, Grade 2 (champion of champions 2019), and finally promoted to Grade 1.
  • Grade 1 Era (2020-2025): Two years out for Covid-19, the band debuted in Grade 1 in 2022 and competed at the highest level for four seasons.
  • Dissolution (October 2025): Announced immediate dissolution on October 12, 2025, due to member a number of reasons. The band is still registered as part of RSPBA for 2025/26.