World Piping Championship success for local bands

Ballybriest Pipe Band took home the grade 3B title, while another local band, Tullylagan came runners-up in the 4A grade.

Speaking on Ballybriest’s success, PRO Thomas Henry said: “The band placed first along with winning the drumming title in grade 3B. “The band would also like to congratulate Tullylagan Pipe band on coming second in their Grade along with the other Northern Irish winners namely Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band in Grade 1 and Clougher and District Pipe Band in grade 4B.

Congratulations have flooded in from across Mid-Ulster for the winners.

Ulster Unionist Councillor Trevor Wilson hailed both on their achievements at the prestigious championships held in Glasgow on Saturday.

Councillor Wilson, who is Vice-President of the Mid-Ulster Pipe Bands Association, said: “Today’s World Championships in Glasgow saw Ballybriest Pipe Band crowned as World Champions in Grade 3B as a band and as a drumming corps.

“Near neighbours Tullylagan were placed second in their Grade which meant that they won the Title of Scottish Champion of Champions. Special mention should also be made of their young female Drum Major who was placed fourth overall in her Grade.”

“This is a fantastic achievement and is testament to the strength of the Pipe Band fraternity in Mid-Ulster.”

Ulster Unionist colleague councillor Samuel Glasgow MBE added: “Once again I want to compliment Ballybriest Pipe Band who reside in the Drum Manor area which I represent on their success. I would also like to congratulate Tullylagan who also resides in the Drum Manor area on their success. I recently had the great honour and privilege of walking behind both bands and it was a real thrill. I wish them even more success for the future and in upcoming competitions.”

Cookstown SDLP Councillor James McGarvey also warmly congratulated Ballybriest Pipe Band on being named champions.

Councillor McGarvey said: “Congratulations to Ballybriest Pipe Band, and their pipe major Arnold Mitchell, on being named Champions in Grade 3B at the World Pipe Band Championships, as well as the World Championship Drum Corps honours.

“It’s a tribute to their individual and collective skill and dedication to the performance of an important strand of our rich and varied shared musical heritage.

“As the London Olympics close, it is also a timely reminder that excellence can be sought and found in our cultural as well as our sporting endeavours,” said the SDLP councillor.

DUP Mid Ulster MLA Ian McCrea also praised the local bands on their success.

“I was delighted to hear that Ballybriest Pipe Band became Grade 3B World Champions today in Scotland. This comes on the back of winning the British and Ulster Championships in recent months.

“I also want to Congratulate Tullylagan Pipe Band for getting Second place in Grade 4A which follows some brilliant results for the band who hold the British and European titles.

“There is a great sense of pride in Mid-Ulster at the moment due to the success of these two bands and I want to commend everyone involved with both bands for all the effort they put in.

Mr McCrea added: “Winning is becoming a habit and one that I trust will continue.”

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Mid-Ulster Sandra Overend also added her praise.

“Once again, Northern Ireland has shone on the World Stage in Pipe Band Championships, and it is great to see local bands competing and succeeding at this level,” she said.

“Ballybriest Pipe Band won the Grade 3B section, also winning ‘Best Drums’. This was followed by the second place position in Grade 4A for Tullylagan Pipe Band, with their Drum Major, Gemma McDowell coming fourth in her class, and fourth place position in Grade 4B for Tamlaght O’Crilly Pipe Band.

“I am also aware that some members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Band hail from Mid-Ulster, who must also be congratulated on their second place in Grade 3A.”

Sandra continued,

“The quality of pipe band competitors from Northern Ireland, and Mid-Ulster, was put on show for the world, and we did not disappoint. I hope that this success continues long into the future,” said the UUP MLA.