Co. Fermanagh Pipe Band & Drum Major Championships 2026

Directions

Google Maps ref: maps.app.goo.gl/DzHrkHFFUphZtKws5 

Directions from Belfast

• Take the M1 south towards Dungannon
• Continue on the A4 towards Ballygawley roundabout
• Take 3rd exit for Ballygawley and head for Omagh
• After a few miles, take left towards Fintona
• Continue west towards Dromore
• From Dromore, head south west towards Irvinestown
• When in Irvinestown, turn left into Main Street, at the bottom, cross the roundabout down between Necarne Arms and clocktown into Castle Street.
• At the end of Castle Street you will come to the entrance to Necarne Estate.
• Note: Castle Street is narrow with two-way traffic and has two speed ramps.

Directions from Enniskillen

• Take the A32 towards Irvinestown
• When in Irvinestown, turn left into Mill Street.
• At the end of Mill Street, at the roundabout, you will see Mahon’s Hotel on your right and clocktower on left.
• Turn left into Castle Street.
• At the end of Castle Street you will come to the entrance to Necarne Estate.
• Note: Castle Street is narrow with two-way traffic and has two speed ramps.

Directions from Omagh

• Take the A32 Clanabogan Road towards Dromore
• From Dromore, head south west towards Irvinestown
• When in Irvinestown, turn left into Main Street, at the bottom, cross the roundabout down between Necarne Arms and clocktown into Castle Street.
• At the end of Castle Street you will come to the entrance to Necarne Estate.
• Note: Castle Street is narrow with two-way traffic and has two speed ramps.

Castle Street

Necarne entrance

Admission & Carparking

Event Admission

• £5.00 per car
  Card, Contactless & Cash accepted

General Parking

• Parking is available on site – please adhere to all instructions from event staff at the entrance gate.

Accessible Parking

• Provision for a reasonable amount of accessible car parking for Blue Badge holders is available.
• This is allocated on a first come, first served basis.
• When full capacity for this area has been reached, you will have to use general parking.
• Please present your blue badge at the entrance and you will be directed to the accessible car parking zone. 
• This blue badge must be for an occupant of the vehicle on the day.
• Entry to this zone will be denied if you do not present a valid blue badge.

Band Coach Parking

• Band coaches must only park at the designated coach parking zone
• Please contact neilstronge@hotmail.com to arrange
• Passes will be issued 48hrs before the event

Motorhomes

• Motorhomes are permitted but must park in the designated Motorhome parking zone
• Please contact neilstronge@hotmail.com to arrange
• Overnight parking must be arranged with Castle Irvine directly. 

Information for Bands

Band Gazebos

• Gazebos must only be erected within the designated area.
• Gazebos must not be erected outside of this area or they will be asked to move.
• You may only erect a band gazebo at this event if you have applied for a Season2026 Gazebo Permit.
• If you still need to apply, please see 🔗Gazebo Application Form
• If you have already applied for a Season2026 Gazebo Permit for this event, and your band is entered, a gazebo parking pass will be emailed out to you 48hrs before the event.
• You must provide evidence of Public Liability Insurance schedule when applying for your permit online
• If event organisers request gazebos to be taken down during the event for safety reasons, this must be complied with

Practice/Tuning

• When your band is practising/tuning, you must be aware of your proximity to any band and/or drum major contest arenas and must ensure that you do not get too close as to cause interference with them
• Final Tuning will be clearly identifiable
• Bands should only sound within the final tuning area to ensure there is no interference with any contest arenas for bands or Drum Majors
• Bands should follow any requests from RSPBA Directors, Branch Stewards or Section Representatives regarding this and this must complied with

Finale

• The finale will be a massed band, advancing playing “The Battle’s O’er”.
• Bands should start preparing at the conclusion of Grade 1 competition.
  (The last band plays at 16:20hrs) 
• All bands and Drum Majors must be in place no later than 16:55hrs to ensure that the massed band finale commences promptly at 17:00hrs.
• Drum majors must not flourish during the preparation of the massed band.
• Nominated lead bands are: Irvine Memorial, Matt Boyd Memorial, and Syerla & District. These bands should be centre of the front row and aim to be in place no later than 16:50hrs.
• Bands and drum majors should follow all instructions from the Senior Drum Major Charlotte Ruddock and Branch/Section Stewards.

General Information

Programmes

• Will be available to purchase from the Registration Tent at a cost of £3.00.  Cash, card and contactless is accepted.

Food/Drink

• There will be a selection of food and drink vendors on the day.  Please note, some may only take cash.

Barbeques

• Fixed and disposable barbeques are not permitted at this event.

Toilet Facilities

• Toilets and Portaloos will be available at the event and will be detailed on the map within the programme.
• Please show respect to users of Accessible facilities as not all disabilities are visible.

First Aid

• Accredited First Aid will be available at the contest area and will be detailed on the map within the programme.

Lost Persons

• Please report any lost persons immediately to any Branch/Section officials on duty.

Drones

• Drones are not permitted to be flown above any crowd or public event.  This restriction applies to all drones, regardless of size and weight.  This is to ensure public safety and to minimise the risk of accidents or injuries.

Litter

• Please dispose of all litter in the bins provided around the contest area and band practice/tuning area.  Bands are responsible for clearing any practice space they occupy at the end of the event.

Dogs

• Assistance dogs are welcome at this event.
• Well-behaved dogs are also welcome but must be kept on a short lead and must be able to cope with large crowds and loud noises.
• Please ensure any dogs barking do not interfere with performances.
• Owners must clean up after their dogs and dispose of the waste in the appropriate bins.

Safeguarding

• Safeguarding Information can be found here

Unacceptable Behaviour

• This event is made possible with the help of our volunteers who are on duty to help and assist you – please demonstrate respect to them always.
• There is a zero-tolerance approach to any abuse of our volunteers and event officials.

Recording & Photographs

• Video recordings, audio recordings or photographs are not permitted without written permission from The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch prior to the commencement of the Championships.

Tourist Information

• For things to see and do around the area and the wider Fermanagh & Omagh District area, please see:
  🔗www.fermanaghlakelands.com and 🔗www.exploreomaghsperrins.com
• For information regarding Castle Irvine Necarne Estate, please see 🔗www.castleirvine.com

Band Draw

Band Draw is available here.
Click on the document to view the controls.

Drum Major Draw

Drum Major Dress time is 11:00
Drum Major Draw is available here.
Click on the document to view the controls.

Results

Results will be published after the finale on the main 2026 results page.