The pipers return to Portrush!
Tue, August 11, 2015
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 of Commerce will take place from Thursday 20th August until Saturday 22nd August. Pictured is Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan with Annette Deighan, Operations Manager at Causeway Chamber and members of Finvoy Pipe Band along with dancers from the Kathryn Stewart School of Highland Dancing. For further information and information on the events throughout the Borough please visit www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com or call the Visitor Information Centre 028 7034 4723.One of the biggest days in Portrush is now just days away. The annual North West Pipe Band Championships and Champion of Champion competition has been a summer highlight since the 1950s and its popularity shows no sign of weakening. The event, sponsored by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, in association with Causeway Borough Chamber will see a number of performances from Thursday 20th until Saturday 22nd August. The main attraction on Saturday will see over fifty pipe bands from Northern Ireland and the border counties competing in all categories at Ramore Head Recreation Grounds. They will be joined by the Drum Majors in competition from 11.00am. Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan and Chieftain for the finals of the Pipe Band Championship in Portrush said, “The Pipe Bands Championships is a wonderful event attracting large numbers of visitors from all over to the north coast each year. ‘I highly recommend to anyone who has yet to experience the Pipe Band Championships at Portrush to make this a date in their diary. It is a fun day out for all the family and brings music, colour and culture to the beautiful seaside resort of Portrush. The event is a major attraction, supporting local businesses and making Portrush a hive of activity. ‘I would like to thank the organisers in their extremely hard work in co-ordinating the event, as well the competitors and visitors for continuing to support and bring this event to Portrush each year. The Scottish Highland dancing competition will be held in the town on Friday from 12.00 noon. The event will feature up to fifty dancers and is followed by the prize giving ceremony. The outdoor location will be finalised closer to the time but if the weather is unsuitable it will be held inside St. Patrick’s Hall on Causeway Street. Portstewart will share a skirl of the pipes on Thursday night with a performance by Garvagh Pipe Band at 7.30pm at the Crescent, while Ulster-Scots Agency Juvenile Pipe Band will perform in Coleraine on Friday afternoon and Station Square Portrush on Friday evening. The North West Pipe Band Championships is a significant event within Council’s annual calendar of events, designed to support local businesses. This is recognised by the Causeway Chamber of Commerce who co-sponsor the event. Annette Deighan, Operations Manager with Causeway Chamber of Commerce said, “Causeway Chamber of Commerce with the support of Portrush Businesses is delighted to support RSPBA NI Branch and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in the delivery of the Pipe Band Championships 2015. This is an eagerly awaited event by spectators, visitors, residents and traders.” Ray Hall Chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland stated “The bandsmen, from throughout Northern Ireland love coming to Portrush to compete annually, as the town has much to offer from a retail, family friendly and outdoor recreational perspective. The organizers and competitors receive a very warm welcome from the Portrush people.” The competition in Portrush takes place one week after the World Championships in Scotland and provides the opportunity to see any of the Northern Ireland world champion bands showcase their silverware during the town parade after the competition. For further information on the events throughout the Borough visit, www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com or call 028 7034 4723. ENDS