Joy for Derrytrasna pipe band

St Marys Pipe Band Derrytrasna, who came first in Grade 4 at the All Ireland Pipe band championships held in Malahide on Saturday.

The Championships took place in Malahide last Saturday, and St Mary’s Pipe Band came away with first prize in the grade four section.

SDLP Councillor Declan McAlinden congratulated the band members on their victory:

“This is a tremendous achievement,” Mr McAlinden shared. “It follows on from their recent success in Stormont, Belfast, where they came first in the UK championships - as well as first in the local competition held in Lurgan Park recently.”

Councillor McAlinden described it as a ‘boost to the pipe band fraternity’ in Craigavon and across the wider community.

“Indeed, the people of Derrytrasna are very proud of the pipe band,” he said. “Over the years, they have brought great entertainment and successes to the community and represent Derrytrasna with great pride and dignity.”

The councillor explained why St Mary’s Pipe Band is particularly close to his heart:

“I am especially delighted with their successes, given that my late Dad - along with a few others - had a huge part in running the band. He was involved for a lifetime in the pipe band - and, when he died back in 2001, the band went into decline.”

St Marys have since been on the rise - something Mr McAlinden is proud to see.

“Thankfully, these last couple of years the band has started back up again and is going from strength to strength. This is due to men like Martin Lennon, pipe major; my own brother, Conor, who has kept the McAlinden name going which is synonymous with the pipe band; Gavin Doran and Ian Matchett - to name but a few.”

The band will now set their sights on Scotland, where the World Pipe Band Championships take place next month.

“Hopefully they will compete and bring more silverware back home,” shared Mr McAlinden.

“Even if they don’t, they will be representing the people of Derrytrasna and the wider community with great distinction and pride. Derrytrasna is a small rural community - between the pipe band and Sarsfields GAA club, there is an enormous amount of work going on with many volunteers giving up time - highlighting the great community atmosphere within the area.”

The World Pipe Band Championships take place in Glasgow on August 13.