Pipe Band Championship

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch and the Irish Pipe Band Association, in conjunction with Culture Company, have jointly welcomed the 68th All Ireland Pipe Band and Drum Majors’ Championships 2013 at St Columb’s Park, on July 6.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st Mar 2013, 12:37 BST

More than 2,000 musicians in over 70 Pipe Bands will contest the 68th All Ireland Pipe Band Championship, being held at St Columb’s Park in 2013 as part of the UK City of Culture celebrations this summer.

It will be a superb family day out as the best Pipe Bands and Drum Majors in the World compete for the coveted title of ‘All Ireland Champions’.

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At the end of the competition there will be the spectacle of the Grand Finale March Past and Salute to the Chieftain, when all the bands come together and play as one before the prize-giving.

It will be a day of music, colour, and pageantry with plenty of side attractions to keep the whole family entertained.

Ray Hall, Chairman, Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch said: “The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, Northern Ireland Branch are delighted that Derry~Londonderry is hosting the 68th All Ireland Pipe Band Championships.

“There is a rich cultural heritage of piping in Ireland and along with our counterparts in the Irish Pipe Band Association it gives us the opportunity to be involved in the City of Culture celebrations by showcasing in competition, the finest Pipe Bands and Drum Majors from Ireland and further afield.”

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Culture Company Chief Executive, Shona McCarthy, said: “It is a privilege to be able to welcome any All Ireland Championship to the city during our year as City of Culture and this one promises to be one of the highlights of the summer. It will be a great family day out, a wonderful spectacle and, I’m sure, fierce competition to be crowned All Ireland champions on the day.”

Ciaran Mourdant, Chairman of the Irish Pipe Band Association, said: “The Irish Pipe Band Association is proud to partner The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, Northern Ireland Branch whose turn it is to host the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships. Member bands from the IPBA are looking forward to competing at Londonderry and contributing to the UK City of Culture celebrations.”

Brian Hasson, of the Colmcille Pipe Band said the band was delighted that the All-Ireland Championships would be in the city this summer because they normally have to travel all round Ireland and to Scotland to compete.

“The fact that this contest is coming to our home town will give us the chance to show our city off to everyone involved in the Pipe Bands - many of whom have never visited the city,” he said.