United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships come to Bangor!

26th March 2024

The United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships will take place on Saturday 18 May 2024 at Ward Park Arras, Bangor.

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch, in partnership with Ards and North Down Borough Council, will host what will be a superb day out. Come along and see the UK’s best Pipe Bands and Drum Majors in action together with approximately 1,500 musicians in 75 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 United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships in Bangor this year. It is very exciting that we have managed to secure such a high-profile event in the Borough.
 
“The Championships 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.”
 
Chairman of The Board of Directors of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, Bob Niven commented: 
“We have worked extremely hard to continue the tradition of Northern Ireland hosting the UK Championship. We are excited to be working with our new host, Ards and North Down Borough Council who has made it possible. Our thanks also go to The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland for their tireless effort to make this a reality.”
The RSPBA Northern Ireland Branch Chairman, Alastair Patterson said:
“It is a privilege to retain the UK Championship in Northern Ireland for our Bands and Drum Majors and we are delighted to be working with the RSPBA and Ards and North Down Borough Council in hosting the UK in such a great venue as Ward Park, Bangor.”
The Championships promise to be a day of music, colour and pageantry before the presentation of prizes.
 
So why not make a weekend of it and explore the area in and around Bangor. Go shopping in the city centre which is filled with gift shops, clothes shops and cosy cafés – perfect for those who love to shop or simply browse.
 
For more information, go to visitardsandnorthdown.com or rspbani.org.

Photo caption (L-R): Erinn McIlwaine (Press Officer at The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch); Winston Pinkerton (President of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch); Councillor Jennifer Gilmour (the Mayor of Ards and North Down) and Beth Preston (Closkelt Pipe Band, Grade 1)