New bands prize honours late Dromore woman

A Dromore man stepped up at the recent North West Pipe Band and Drum Majors Championships to receive the trophy he earlier presented in memory of his late mother.
Wayne Byrne pictured presenting a new perpetual cup on behalf of Marlacoo & District Pipe Band in memory of his mother, the late Florence Byrne to Winston Pinkerton (RSPBANI President) at the North West Pipe Band & Drum Majors Championships at Portrush on Saturday 22nd August.  Looking on are Waynes brother Gregory and their father Michael.  Inset pic: The late Florence Byrne.Wayne Byrne pictured presenting a new perpetual cup on behalf of Marlacoo & District Pipe Band in memory of his mother, the late Florence Byrne to Winston Pinkerton (RSPBANI President) at the North West Pipe Band & Drum Majors Championships at Portrush on Saturday 22nd August.  Looking on are Waynes brother Gregory and their father Michael.  Inset pic: The late Florence Byrne.
Wayne Byrne pictured presenting a new perpetual cup on behalf of Marlacoo & District Pipe Band in memory of his mother, the late Florence Byrne to Winston Pinkerton (RSPBANI President) at the North West Pipe Band & Drum Majors Championships at Portrush on Saturday 22nd August. Looking on are Waynes brother Gregory and their father Michael. Inset pic: The late Florence Byrne.

Florence Byrne’s son Wayne presented the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association with a new perpetual cup in memory of the late Dromore woman, who also boasted connections to Banbridge and Loughbrickland.

On behalf of Marlacoo and District Pipe Band, of which he is Pipe Major, Wayne handed the trophy to RSPBA Northern Ireland President Winston Pinkerton at the recent championships in Portrush, only to receive it in turn when it was awarded to Marlacoo, who won Grade 4a, Best Pipes, Best Drums and Best Bass Section.

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It was presented by Chieftain of the Gathering, Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

Florence Byrne was born in 1945 and grew up at Magherabeg.

Upon her marriage to Loughbrickland man Michael Byrne in November 1968, the couple moved first to Banbridge and later to Gallows Street, Dromore.

Florence worked at the Down Shoes Factory at Banbridge and later as lunchtime supervisor at Dromore High School.

Later still she worked as a production operator at Cottage Catering, where her son Wayne has been assistant factory manager for the past 18 years.

Florence died in January this year, aged 69.

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Marlacoo now stand as Northern Ireland Champion of Champions band, Scottish Champions, Scottish Champion Of Champions and UK Champions; they were third in the World championships.

The drum corps, meanwhile, are Scottish Champions, Scottish Champion of Champions and World Champions .

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