Heart O’ Down Pipe Band & Drum Major Championships (inc. CoC)

Band Draw

Band Draw is available here.
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Drum Major Draw

Drum Major Dress time is 10:30
Drum Major Draw is available here.
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Syllabus

This event run under RSPBANI Local Rules. If you have any queries, please e-mail secretary@rspbani.org.

Admission & Carparking

Event Admission

• Entry is free

General Parking

• General parking is available at Donard Park main car park and on the hillside
• Both these areas are not pre-bookable and are on a first come, first serve basis
• Please park considerately and legally within these areas. Any vehicles parked wrongly or illegally will be asked to move by Police
• The hillside area will be closed at 7pm and will not be open again until Council are contacted on Monday morning.
• It is your responsibility to ensure you have vacated this area before closing or your vehicle may be locked in
• There is a one way system in operation on the hillside – You must only exit via Shan Slieve Drive
• If parking capacity is reached at Donard Park main car park and the hillside area, you will need to seek alternative parking around the town centre

Accessible Car Parking

• Provision for 120x pre-bookable car parking spaces for Blue Badge holders is available at the designated parking zone between the hillside and the event arenas
• Please pre-book using the Parking Pass Application Form Click Here
• You must complete the application form fully for your application to be processed
• It is recommended that you apply for your pass as soon as possible as the application system will close when all available accessible car spaces are allocated
• You will only gain entry to this accessible parking zone if you present the unique accessible parking pass together with a valid blue badge
• This blue badge must be for an occupant of the vehicle on the day
• Entry to will be denied if you do not present both parking pass & valid blue badge for the occupant
• Passes will be issued to you by e-mail, at least ONE day before the event
• Please be aware that there is a vehicle height restriction to this area

Band Coach / Minibus Parking

• Provision for pre-booked band coach/minibus parking is available within the designated coach parking zone within the Donard Park main car park or where Officials direct you to.
• Bands should pre-book this by using the Parking Pass Application Form Click Here
• Band coaches/minibuses must only park at this designated coach parking zone
• Passes will be issued by e-mail, at least ONE day before the event

Motorhomes

• • Provision for 12x motorhome day parking spaces are available withing the designated motorhome parking zone located at the hillside area
  • Please pre-book this by using the Parking Pass Application Form Click Here
  • Motorhomes must only park at this designated motorhome parking zone.
  • There is strictly no overnight parking available within Donard Park
  • Overnight accommodation information is available here.

Band Information

Band Gazebos

• Gazebos must only be erected within the designated practice areas
• You should ensure that your band gazebo is not erected too close to interfere with band/drum major arenas or final tuning
• You may only erect a band gazebo at this event if you have applied for a Season2026 Gazebo Permit
• 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 automatically ONE day before the event. You do not need to apply again
• If you need to apply for a Season2026 gazebo pass for the first time, please see Gazebo Application Form
• 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/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. Your band practising must also not interfere with the final tuning areas
• Do not proceed to final tuning areas too early as this can cause disruption for bands in front of you
• 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, Stewards and Branch Officials regarding this and this must complied with

End of Season Parade

• At the conclusion of the finale and prizegiving, there will be a parade for bands, drum majors and trophy carriers
• This will commence from main Donard Park car park entrance at approximately 6:30pm and will progress on to Bryansford Road against the traffic, left on to Central Promenade and then onto Beach Footpath and concluding at Donard Car Park Rear Entrance
• Drum majors must ensure safety when flourishing. Throws and bodywork should only be carried out when there is adequate space and the conditions allow
• The Branch does not accept any liability, and bands must have their own relevant public liability insurance to cover themselves
• All bands and Drum Majors, and other participants must take direction and instructions from Parade Marshals and Branch Officials at all times

General Information

Programmes

• Will be available to purchase from the Registration Tent at a cost of £5.00.  Cash, card and contactless is accepted

Food/Drink

• There will be a selection of food and drink vendors at Donard Park on the day – some may only take cash
• There is also a large selection of eateries and bars around the town

Barbeques

• Fixed and disposable barbeques are not permitted at this event

Toilet Facilities

• Portaloos will be available across the event site 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 event site and will be detailed on the map within the programme

Lost Persons

• Please report any lost persons immediately to any Branch or Event Officials on duty

Drones

• Drone flights are not permitted at this event. In the interests of public safety and compliance with UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations, the operation of drones or other unmanned aircraft is strictly prohibited
• This restriction applies to all drones, regardless of size and weight
• Any person found operating a drone on or above this event site may be asked to cease operations immediately, and may be reported to the relevant authorities where appropriate

Litter

• Please dispose of all litter in the bins provided around the event site. This is a NMDD Council facility and normal bylaws apply
• All bands are responsible for ensuring that clearing any practice space they occupy (gazebos / final tuning). This will be monitored throughout the day and at the conclusion of the event by Branch Officials

Dogs

• Assistance dogs are welcome at this event
• Well-behaved dogs are also welcome but must be kept under control and on a short lead at all times
• Dogs must be able to cope with large crowds and noise
• Ensure any dogs barking are taken away immediately so as not to interfere with band or drum major performances
• Owners must clean up after their dogs and dispose of the waste in the appropriate bins

Safeguarding

• Safeguarding Information can be found by clicking 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.
• The Branch Executive has a zero-tolerance approach to any abuse of our volunteers and this extends to our third-party event officials also

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
• Branch photographers will be on site throughout the day and photos will be available online after the event

Tourist Information

• For other things to see and do around the wider Newcastle and NMD district area, please see  Visit Mourne Guillion Strangford 

General Queries

• • please email contests@rspbani.org 

Playing Requirements

Results

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