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PRODID:-//The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch - ECPv6.15.14//NONSGML v1.0//EN
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X-WR-CALNAME:The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://rspbani.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch
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DTSTART:20240101T000000
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250802T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250802T180000
DTSTAMP:20260523T233602
CREATED:20250416T173804Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250916T164335Z
UID:11537-1754128800-1754157600@rspbani.org
SUMMARY:Ulster Pipe Band Championships 2025
DESCRIPTION:Attending the 72nd Ulster Championships\nVenue:  West Strand Bay\, Portrush\n[click here for location map] \nAdmission & Parking\nEvent Admission: Free \n\nGeneral Parking: \n\nParking is available at various town centre car parks – charges/restrictions may apply.\n\n\nAccessible Parking: \n\nLimited car parking for Blue Badge holders was available to be pre-booked w/c 21 July – however\, full capacity has been reached with all available spaces now allocated. Please use alternative parking around the town centre.\nA reminder that you will only gain entry to the accessible parking area if you present 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.\nEntry will be denied if you do not present both pass and blue badge.\n\n\nBand Coach Parking: \n\nBand Coaches must only park at designated coach parking zone.\nPlease pre-book using Parking Pass Application Form.\nPasses will be issued on Friday 1 August before 7pm.\n\n\nMotorhomes: \n\nNo overnight parking is available at West Strand Bay.  Daily motorhome parking is available close to the venue – please see Sandhill Drive Motorhome Park | Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council for information.\n\n\nBand Guidance\nBand Gazebos: \n\nGazebos must only be erected within the designated band tuning/practice areas\nParking for gazebo transport is limited to 1 vehicle per band\nPlease pre-book gazebo parking using Parking Pass Application Form.\nPasses will be issued on Friday 1 August before 7pm.\nYou must have valid Public Liability Insurance schedule when applying online. If you have previously provided evidence you do not need to reupload.\nIf event organisers request gazebos to be taken down during the event for safety reasons\, this must be complied with.\n\n\nPractice / Tuning: \n\nWhen 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.\nFinal Tuning will be clearly identifiable.\nBands should only sound within the final tuning area to ensure there is no interference with any contest arenas for bands or Drum Majors.\nBands should follow any requests from RSPBA Directors or Branch Stewards regarding this and must comply.\n\n\nFinale: \n\nThe finale will be a massed band\, advancing playing “The Battle’s O’er”.\nBands should start preparing at the conclusion of Grade 1 competition and all bands and Drum Majors must be in place no later than 17:25hrs to ensure that the Massed Band Finale commences promptly.\nNominated lead bands are: Closkelt\, Irvine Memorial\, Gransha\, McDonald Memorial and Joseph Forde Memorial and will be informed by email in advance.\n\n\nParade: \n\nAt the conclusion of the Finale and prizegiving\, a parade along the Promenade will commence at 6.15pm.\nThe parade will start at the event area at West Strand Bay\, parading along to South Pier and up to the grass area adjacent to Kerr Street.\nPipe Majors please note\, the Promenade narrows for a short distance and Bands will have to go 3-abreast through this area.\n\nGeneral Information\nProgrammes: \n\nWill be available to purchase from the Registration Tent at a cost of £3.00.  Cash\, card and contactless is accepted.\n\n\nFood/Drink: \n\nThere 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.\n\n\nBarbeques: \n\nFixed and disposable barbeques are not permitted at this event.\n\n\nToilet Facilities: \n\nToilets and Portaloos will be available at the event and will be detailed on the map within the programme.\nPlease show respect to users of Accessible facilities as not all disabilities are visible.\n\n\nFirst Aid: \n\nAccredited First Aid will be available at the contest area and will be detailed on the map within the programme.\n\nLost Persons: \n\nPlease report any lost persons immediately to any Branch officials on duty or at the RSPBANI van.\n\n\nDrones: \n\nDrones 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.\n\n\nLitter: \n\nPlease 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.\n\n\nDogs: \n\nAssistance dogs are welcome at this event.\nWell-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.\nPlease ensure any dogs barking does not interfere with performances.\nOwners must clean up after their dogs and dispose of the waste in the appropriate bins.\n\n\nUnacceptable Behaviour: \n\nThis 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.\nThere is a zero-tolerance approach to any abuse of our volunteers and event officials.\n\n\nRecording & Photographs: \n\nVideo 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.\n\n\nVisit Causeway Coasts & Glens \n\nFor things to see and do around Portrush and the wider borough area click here\n\n–\nFor any general event queries\, please email contests@rspbani.org.\nFor specific Band/Drum Major queries\, please email secretary@rspbani.org. \nPlaying Requirements\n\n\n\n\nGrade 1: \n‘Small’ MSR (Maximum 4-parted tunes) + Medley (5-7 mins)\n\n\nGrade 2: \nMedley (4-6 mins)\n\n\nGrade 3a: \nMSR\n\n\nGrade 3b: \nMSR\n\n\nGrade 4a: \nMarch\, Strathspey and Reel.\n\n\nGrade 4b: \nMarch Selection.\n\n\n\n\nClosing date for entries: Monday 14th July 2025 \nDraw\nBand Draw is available here \n2025-Ulsters-Bands-Draw\n. \nDrum Major Draw is available here \n2025-Ulsters-DM-Draw\n. \nResults\nResults summaries will be available here after the contest ends
URL:https://rspbani.org/event/ulster-2025/
LOCATION:West Strand\, Eglinton St\, Portrush\, BT56 8DY
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rspbani.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025_ulster_sq-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="RSPBANI":MAILTO:contests@rspbani.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250809T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250809T180000
DTSTAMP:20260523T233602
CREATED:20250416T174321Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T153025Z
UID:11540-1754733600-1754762400@rspbani.org
SUMMARY:Heart O' Down Pipe Band Championships 2025
DESCRIPTION:Attending the Heart o’ Down Championships 2025\nThis event is kindly supported by Newry\, Mourne & Down District Council. \nTraffic 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. \nDundrum 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. \n\nAdmission & Parking\n\nAdmission:  Free \nGeneral Parking: \n\nParking 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.\nPlease park considerately and legally. Any vehicles parked wrongly or illegally will be asked to move by Police.\nIf 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.\nThe 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.\nThere is a one way system in operation on the hillside – You must only exit via Shan Slieve Drive.\n\n\n\nAccessible Parking \n\nLimited 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.\nA 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.\nEntry to this area will be denied if you do not present both pass and blue badge.\nPasses will be issued at least 24hrs before the event.\nThere is a vehicle height restriction to this area of the carpark.\n\n\nBand Coach parking \n\nBand Coaches must only park at designated area.\nPlease pre-book using Parking Pass Application Form.\nPasses will be issued at least 24hrs before the event.\n\n\nMotorhome Parking: \n\nUnfortunately\, no overnight parking is available in Donard Park.\nGeneral public parking for motorhomes will be available on the day at the bottom of the hillside.\nOvernight accommodation information is available here.\n\n\nBand Guidance\n\nBand Gazebos: \n\nGazebos must only be erected within the designated band tuning/practice areas.\nParking for gazebo transport is limited to 1 vehicle per band and you must pre-book gazebo parking using Parking Pass Application Form.\nPasses will be issued at least 24hrs before the event.\nYou must have valid Public Liability Insurance schedule when applying online. If you have previously provided evidence you do not need to reupload.\nIf event organisers request gazebos to be taken down during the event for safety reasons\, this must be complied with.\n\n\nPractice / Tuning: \n\nWhen 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.\nFinal Tuning will be clearly identifiable.\nBands should only sound within the final tuning area to ensure there is no interference with any contest arenas for bands or Drum Majors.\nBands should follow any requests from RSPBA Directors or Branch Stewards regarding this and must comply.\n\n\nFinale: \n\nThe finale will be a massed band\, advancing playing “The Battle’s O’er”.\nBands 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.\nNominated lead bands are: Ravara\, Moneygore\, Hollymount\, Altnaveigh Memorial\, Upper Crossgare and Down Academy and will be informed by email in advance.\nAll bands should follow direction from Stewards and Senior Drum Major Charlotte Ruddock.\nAs 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.\n\n\nParade: \n\nAt 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\nDrum Majors must ensure safety when flourishing. Flourishing including throws should only be carried out when there is adequate space and the conditions allow.\nThe Branch does not accept any liability and bands must have their own relevant public liability insurance to cover themselves.\nAll bands and Drum Majors\, and other participants must take direction and instructions from Parade Marshals and Branch Officials at all times .\n\n\nGENERAL INFORMATION\n\nProgrammes: \n\nWill be available to purchase from the Registration Tent at a cost of £3.00.  Cash\, card and contactless is accepted.\n\n\nFood/Drink: \n\nThere 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.\n\n\nBarbeques: \n\nFixed and disposable barbeques are not permitted at this event.\n\n\nToilet Facilities: \n\nPortaloos will be available at the event and will be detailed on the map within the programme.\nPlease show respect to users of Accessible facilities as not all disabilities are visible.\n\nFirst Aid: \n\nAccredited First Aid will be available at the contest area and will be detailed on the map within the programme.\n\n\nLost Persons: \n\nPlease report any lost persons immediately to any Branch officials on duty or at the RSPBANI van.\n\nDrones: \n\nDrones 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.\n\n\nLitter: \n\nPlease dispose of all litter in the bins provided around the contest area and band practice/tuning area.\nBands are responsible for clearing any practice space they occupy at the end of the event.\n\n\nDogs: \n\nAssistance dogs are welcome at this event.\nWell-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.\nPlease ensure any dogs barking do not interfere with band and Drum Major performances.\nOwners must clean up after their dogs and dispose of the waste in the appropriate bins.\n\n\nUnacceptable Behaviour: \n\nThis 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.\nThere is a zero-tolerance approach to any abuse of our volunteers and event officials.\n\n\nRecording & Photographs: \n\nVideo 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.\n\n\nVisit Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion: \n\nFor things to see and do around Newcastle click here.\n\n– \n\nFor any general event queries\, please email contests@rspbani.org.\nFor specific Band/Drum Major queries\, please email secretary@rspbani.org. \nPlaying Requirements\n\n\n\n\nGrade 1: \n‘Small’ MSR (Maximum 4-parted tunes) + Medley (5-7 mins)\n\n\nGrade 2: \nMSR (Submit 2) & Medley (4-6 mins)\n\n\nGrade 3a: \nMSR & Medley (3-5 mins)\n\n\nGrade 3b: \nMSR & Medley (3-5 mins)\n\n\nGrade 4a: \nMarch\, Strathspey and Reel.\n\n\nGrade 4b: \nMarch Selection.\n\n\n\n\nClosing date for entries: Monday 21st July 2025 \nDraw\nBand Draw is available here \n2025-Newcastle-Bands-Draw\n. \nDrum Major Draw is available here \n2025-Newcastle-DM-Draw\n. \nResults\nResults summaries will be available here after the contest ends
URL:https://rspbani.org/event/newcastle-2025/
LOCATION:Donard Park\, Donard Park\, Newcastle\, BT33 0WR
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rspbani.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025_heart_o_down_CoC_sq-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="RSPBANI":MAILTO:contests@rspbani.org
END:VEVENT
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