Portrush gears up for North West Pipe Band Championships

Ballybriest Pipe Band with Pipe Major Arnold Mitchell (left) pictured during the march past at the North West Pipe Band Championships at Portrush on Saturday 23rd August.

The annual North West Pipe Band Championships and Champion of Champion competition has been a summer highlight since the 1950s and its popularity shows no sign of weakening.

The event, sponsored by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, in association with Causeway Borough Chamber will see a number of performances from Thursday, August 20 until Saturday, August 22.

The main attraction on Saturday will see over fifty pipe bands from Northern Ireland and the border counties competing in all categories at Ramore Head Recreation Grounds.

They will be joined by the Drum Majors in competition from 11.00am.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan and Chieftain for the finals of the Pipe Band Championship in Portrush said, “The Pipe Bands Championships is a wonderful event attracting large numbers of visitors from all over to the north coast each year.

“I highly recommend to anyone who has yet to experience the Pipe Band Championships at Portrush to make this a date in their diary.

“It is a fun day out for all the family and brings music, colour and culture to the beautiful seaside resort of Portrush. It is free for everyone to come and listen and experience these exceptional artists in their field. The event is a major attraction, supporting local businesses and making Portrush a hive of activity. I would like to thank the organisers for co-ordinating the event.”