Heart O’ Down Pipe Band Championships 2025

Attending the Heart o’ Down Championships 2025

This event is kindly supported by Newry, Mourne & Down District Council.

Traffic in and around Newcastle town centre and Donard Park can be very congested at times and as this is a popular Championships we expect it to be very busy. Please leave plenty of time for your journey and adhere to all instructions/guidance from Event Officials, Security-Traffic Personnel and Police.

Dundrum Village Festival is also taking place on Saturday 9 August with parts of Main Street closed. Diversions around Dundrum village will be in place but this may cause some delays, again please leave plenty of time for your journey.

Admission & Parking

Admission:  Free

General Parking:

• Parking is available at Donard Park car park and the hillside area (as per previous years). This is on a first come, first serve basis and is not pre-bookable.
• Please park considerately and legally. Any vehicles parked wrongly or illegally will be asked to move by Police.
• If parking capacity is reached at Donard Park and the hillside area, you will need to seek alternative parking around the town centre car parks where charges/restrictions may apply.
• The hillside area will be closed at 7pm – 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.

Accessible Parking

• Limited car parking for Blue Badge holders is available to be pre-booked from 24 July using Parking Pass Application Form – when full capacity is reached you will have to use general parking.
• A reminder that you will only gain entry to the accessible parking area if you present both a 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 this area will be denied if you do not present both pass and blue badge.
• Passes will be issued at least 24hrs before the event.
• There is a vehicle height restriction to this area of the carpark.

Band Coach parking

• Band Coaches must only park at designated area.
• Please pre-book using Parking Pass Application Form.
• Passes will be issued at least 24hrs before the event.

Motorhome Parking:

• Unfortunately, no overnight parking is available in Donard Park.
• General public parking for motorhomes will be available on the day at the bottom of the hillside.
• Overnight accommodation information is available here.

Band Guidance

Band Gazebos:

• Gazebos must only be erected within the designated band tuning/practice areas.
• Parking for gazebo transport is limited to 1 vehicle per band and you must pre-book gazebo parking using Parking Pass Application Form.
• Passes will be issued at least 24hrs before the event.
• You must have valid Public Liability Insurance schedule when applying online. If you have previously provided evidence you do not need to reupload.
• 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 practicing/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 or Branch Stewards regarding this and must comply.

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 and all bands and Drum Majors must be in place no later than 16:45 to ensure that the Massed Band Finale commences promptly.
• Nominated lead bands are: Ravara, Moneygore, Hollymount, Altnaveigh Memorial, Upper Crossgare and Down Academy and will be informed by email in advance.
• All bands should follow direction from Stewards and Senior Drum Major Charlotte Ruddock.
• As per local competition rules: Failure to attend the finale at the given time shall result in a fine, the amount of which to be determined annually by the Executive Committee. All competing bands must take part in the grand finale, unless permission to be excused has been granted by the Contest Secretary.

Parade:

• At the conclusion of the Finale and prizegiving, there will be a short parade for bands, drum majors and trophy carriers. This will commence from Donard Car Park Main Entrance at approximately 6pm 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. Flourishing including throws 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 £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. There is also a large selection of eateries within the Town centre.

Barbeques:

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

Toilet Facilities:

• 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 officials on duty or at the RSPBANI van.

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 band and Drum Major performances.
• Owners must clean up after their dogs and dispose of the waste in the appropriate bins.

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.

Visit Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion:

• For things to see and do around Newcastle click here.

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For any general event queries, please email contests@rspbani.org.
For specific Band/Drum Major queries, please email secretary@rspbani.org.

Playing Requirements

Closing date for entries: Monday 21st July 2025

Draw

Band Draw is available here

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Drum Major Draw is available here

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Results

Results summaries will be available here after the contest ends