Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships Come to Newtownards!

11th July 2023

The Ards and North Down Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships will take place on Saturday 22 July at Newtownards Airfield, from 11am to 6pm.

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch, with support from Ards and North Down Borough Council, will host what will be a superb day out. Come along and see the world’s best Pipe Bands and Drum Majors in action together with more than 700 musicians in 34 pipe bands competing at this year’s Championships.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, said:

“Ards and North Down Borough Council is delighted to host the Ards and North Down Pipe Band Championships in Newtownards this year. The Championships are a firm favourite in the Council’s events programme, and they provide a great day of entertainment that can be enjoyed by competitors and supporters alike. I wish all the competitors, sponsors, and organisers every success for a great championship.”

Mr Winston Pinkerton, President of the RSPBA NI Branch, said:

“It is my great pleasure as President of the RSPBANI to welcome the Bands and Drum Majors back onto the grass, following our summer break. Our thanks must go to Ards and North Down Borough Council, in conjunction with the Ulster Flying Club, who are hosting the contest. I hope Band Members and visitors to the Borough will enjoy the musical ensemble and colourful spectacle that will greet us within the welcoming surroundings of Newtownards, with Scrabo Tower watching over us.”

The Championships promise to be a day of music, colour and pageantry that will culminate in a spectacular Grand Finale March Past and Salute to the Chieftain, before the presentation of prizes.

Free shuttle buses will provide easy access between the town and the venue, which will be accessed via the Comber Road entrance. They will operate at regular intervals from SD Kells on High Street as well as Gibson’s Lane and Strangford Arms Hotel.

So why not make a weekend of it and explore the area in and around Newtownards. Go shopping in the town centre which is filled with lovely gift shops, boutique shops and cosy cafés – perfect for those who love to shop or simply browse.

For more information, go to visitardsandnorthdown.com/pipebands or rspbani.org.

ENDS.

Notes to Editor

Photo caption: Pictured at Newtownards Airfield ahead of the event are Keith Davison (Pipe Sergeant of Cottown Pipe Band from Six Road Ends), Erinn McIlwaine (Press Officer for the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch), and Thomas Connolly (Piper from Ravara Pipe Band, Ballygowan). Image: Simon Graham.