North West Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships 2016

Pictured at the North West Pipe Band Championships and Champion of Champions is Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Alderman Maura Hickey presenting Pipe Major Graham Stirling of Finvoy Pipe Band with the trophy for first place in Grade 3b.

The annual North West Pipe Band Championships and Champion of Champions competition, sponsored by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, in association with Causeway Chamber, took place on 20th of August in Portrush.

This year was the 50th anniversary of the Championships in Portrush, with the first competition held on the 20th of August 1966. The anniversary was marked with a feast of pipe band music and drum majoring served up by 51 bands and 42 drum majors.

Chieftain of the Day was Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Maura Hickey, who congratulated the bands and drum majors on their performances and carried out the prize presentations.

The Mayor said, “The Pipe Bands Championships is a wonderful event attracting large numbers of visitors from all over to the North Coast each year. It was an honour acting as Chieftain of the Gathering for the day.

“I would like to thank the organisers for their extremely hard work in co-ordinating the event, as well as the competitors and all the visitors for their continued support.”

Following the Grand Finale, the bands embarked on the now world famous street parade. Portrush was filled with people who enjoyed the music and colourful spectacle of bands and drum majors parading with their trophies.

For further information on the events throughout the Borough visit www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com or call 028 7034 4723.

ENDS

NOTES:

Results:

Grade 1:

1st The Pipes and Drums of the Police Service of Northern Ireland

2nd Bleary & District,

3rd Ravara

4th Closkelt

Grade 2:

1st PSNI

2nd Closkelt,

3rd Thiepval Memorial

4th Colmcille

Grade 3A

1st Aughintober

2nd Colmcille,

3rd Drumlough

4th Raffrey

Grade 3B

1st Finvoy

2nd Marlacoo & District

3rd Matt Boyd Memorial

4th Major Sinclair Memorial

Grade 4A

1stCleland Memorial

2ndBattlehill

3rdMcNeilstown

4thCullybackey

5th Tullylagan

Grade 4B

1st Clontibret Gransha

2nd Kildoag

3rd Bessbrook Crimson Arrow

4th Gilnahirk

5th Sgt Walker Memorial

Drum Majors

Alicia Dickson – Adult Grade

Caitlin Graham - Junior

Kathryn McKeown- Juvenile

Zara Cupples – Novice