United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships 2024
The Event
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch and Ards and North Down Borough Council in conjunction with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association are delighted to present the United Kingdom Pipe and Drum Major Championships. The event will take place at Ward Park in Bangor, Northern Ireland, on Saturday 18 May 2024, commencing at 10am.
A total of 76 Bands and 32 Drum Majors, following the recent draw, are set to compete. This prestigious gathering is a cornerstone event for pipe band enthusiasts, drawing participants from all over Northern Ireland, the rest of the UK, the South of Ireland, and beyond. The competition spans various skill levels, from Novice Juvenile up to the top tier with 10 Bands competing in Grade 1. The grand March Past Finale is planned for 5pm, featuring a procession of all bands through Ward Park, culminating with a Salute to the Chieftain of the Day, Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour. Entry to this event is complimentary.
The championship serves as both a showcase of musical talent and a celebration of cultural heritage, highlighting the rich tradition of pipe bands in Northern Ireland and beyond.
We hope you enjoy your stay in this picturesque coastal city in County Down.
Getting to Bangor
By Car – From Belfast City Centre, follow the A2 to Bangor. On approach to Bangor, please adhere to the directional signage around the City.
By Rail and Bus – Translink provide a regular train and bus service from Belfast Lanyon Place to Bangor Station, Abbey Street, BT20 4TA. Ward Park is within walking distance (approx 0.6 miles) from the Station.
By Coach – From Belfast City Centre, follow the A2 to Bangor. On approach to Bangor, please adhere to the directional signage around the City.
Parking
Coach Parking – For Bands bringing a Coach, these passes have now been issued and this will allow you into Ward Park. Please adhere to the directional signage around the City as at certain times of the day, road closures to facilitate the traffic will be enforced.
Please note: If you have a Coach Pass, there is a change to the directions which are printed on the back of the pass – Bands entered have been emailed with details. To clarify, please follow these instructions to ensure you get into Ward Park in a timely manner and to avoid any congestion around the City.
- If coaches are arriving from Belfast you will enter via the Belfast Road / Abbey Street / Main Street / High Street / Donaghadee Road and first right after the traffic lights onto Broadway.
- If they are travelling from Bangor / Groomsport / Ards Peninsula direction you will need to follow the diversions that will be in place and enter via the Newtownards Road / Abbey Street / Main Street / High Street / Donaghadee Road and first right after the traffic lights onto Broadway.
- Bands with no Coach Parking Pre-Booked – we have provision made for coaches arriving with no passes, which will allow them to drop the Band members off and park in Bangor Grammar School, 84 Gransha Road, Bangor BT10 7QU.
Band & Public Parking – The closest public parking has been arranged in the Department for Education Car Park, Balloo Road, Bangor, BT19 7PR and Bangor Elim Church Car Park, Balloo Road, Bangor, BT19 7WP. For car parking in the City of Bangor, see details here.
These carparks will be facilited with a courtesy shuttle bus service (details below).
Additional parking is now available in Bethany Baptish Church carpark at 23-27 Gransha Road, Bangor, BT20 4TN. Parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking will be also available at Bloomfield Shopping Centre.
Accessible Parking – Limited Accessible Parking has been advertised and passes have now been issued. Please check your pass to confirm which carpark you are parked in. In all public car parks, accessible parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Motorhome Parking – Unfortunately, no overnight motorhome parking is available in Bangor. Suitable venues are available here. Motorhome parking will be the same as Band and Public Parking, on a first-come, first-served basis. Ards and North Down Borough Council have additional parking around the City, see details here. Please be aware, that some car parks do have height restrictions in place.
Courtesy Shuttle Bus Service
A courtesy shuttle bus service will run continuously from 7.45am. 1st Stop Bangor Elim Car Park / Department of Education Car Park, Balloo Road, Bangor BT19 7PR. 2nd Stop UK Championships in Ward Park. 3rd Stop layby beside McKee Clock, Bangor City Centre.
From 9.30am – 1st Stop Bangor Elim Car Park / Department of Education Car Park, Balloo Road, Bangor BT19 7PR. 2nd Stop Bloomfield Shopping Centre. 3rd Stop UK Championships in Ward Park. 4th Stop layby beside McKee Clock, Bangor City Centre.
This service is provided by Translink in an Accessible vehicle with the last bus leaving Ward Park at 6pm. Following this, a private non-accessible coach service is available and Band Members will be requested to place all larger items including drums, into the luggage compartment of the vehicle, prior to transport.
Accessibility
Accessible Toilets and Mobiloo will be available on the grounds of Ward Park. Wheelchair users can access Ward Park as it is mainly level ground on short grass. Accessible viewing will be available at Arena 1.
Please note, the last accessible Translink vehicle will be leaving Ward Park at 6pm. After this time, private non-accessible coaches are avaiable to transport you back to your original pick-up point.
Food & Drink
A selection of food and drink traders will be available in Ward Park as well as a licensed bar. Please note, some caterers accept cash only.
Barbeques
Barbeques are not permitted in Ward Park.
Gazebos
To bring a gazebo into Ward Park, all Bands must ensure their gazebos have public liability insurance cover. Evidence of current insurance will be requested to be presented on the day. Wind speeds are checked on an hourly basis. If organisers request that gazebos are taken down based on safety this must be complied with.
For Band’s transporting gazeblos, a drop off area will be provide at the Pavillion, Ward Park, see pinpoint here. Drums and other equipment can be left off at this point. It is advisable to have a Band Member available to stay with your belongings. A gator will be available to assist transporting heavy/large equipment across the green. This will be a busy area in the morning of the Championships, so we request Bands to unload and move from this point as quickly as possible.
Dogs
Well behaved dogs are welcome at this event but must be kept on a short lead and can cope with large crowds and loud noises. Owners must clean up after their dogs and dispose of the waste in the appropriate bins.
Recording & Photographs
Video or audio recordings or photographs are not permitted without written permission from the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association prior to the commencement of the Championship.
Visit Bangor
For things to see and do around Bangor click here.
Ward Park, Castle St, Bangor BT20 4TA
