Latest News
We are currently monitoring the situation in regards to Pipe Band College Exams and the upcoming Ulster Solos,
This is a fluid situation, and will change daily and we will therefore follow guidance from the Goverment
Fingal is set to host the 75th All Ireland Pipe Band Championships 2020 in the stunning grounds of Newbridge House and Farm in Donabate in July. The Championships will take place on Saturday, July 4, are organised under the joint auspices of the Irish Pipe Band Association and Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch.
Supported by Fingal County Council, over 60 pipe bands from all over Ireland and overseas will descend on Newbridge House grounds to compete for the coveted title of All Ireland Champions, in piping and drumming in six different grades. It is expected that an audience in the region of 3,000 will attend.
As well as piping and drumming over 50 Drum Majors will compete for All Ireland titles.
The Championships is the showpiece of piping and drumming in Ireland and is well worth a visit.
The All Ireland Pipe Band Pipe Band Championships began life in 1946 when the famous Eddie McVeigh from Northern Ireland was visiting Dublin heard the sound of the then famed Fintan Lalor Pipe Band practising in a Trade Union Hall in Parnell Square.
A friendly discussion took place about who had the best bands Northern Ireland or the Irish Republic, at that chance meeting it was decided to hold an All Ireland competition in Dublin the first Saturday in July of that year. The championships have been held ever since.
RSPBANI Branch Competition Dates 2020
9th May, Ards and North Down Championships, Bangor
16th May, County Fermanagh Championships, Enniskillen
30th May, Mid Ulster Championships, Cookstown
6th June, Antrim and Newtownabbey Championships, Antrim
20th June, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Championships, Moira
4th July, All Ireland Championships, Newbridge House, Swords, Dublin
8th August, Ulster Championships, Ballymena
22nd August, Champion of Champions, Newcastle
Unfortunately, we have not been able to secure a competition in Portrush this year. We hope this competition will be back on the calendar as soon as possible.
A reminder of the free accredited Safeguarding Training for band Safeguarding Officers on Thursday 5th of March 2020 in Trinity Hall, Lisburn at 06.30 p.m.
If your band is applying for funding, Safeguarding training is a required element of funding application processes.
Please email the name of your band designated Safeguarding Officer if they plan to attend to info@rspbani.org.
Entries should be completed online via the 'My Account' section of the website (soloist tab)
If anyone requires any assistance in creating an account or accessing the entry section please contact Danielle through the RSPBANI facebook page or by email - danielle.mccartney@rspbani.org
Syllabus available here
Cullybackey Pipe Band 33rd Annual Solos Competition Saturday 4th April 2020
Note: all grades are by pre-registration only using either the online link or an emailed registration form.
Online entries link:
https://tinyurl.com/u74cvbf
Postal/Email Entry link:
https://tinyurl.com/srevbp6
A copy of the 2020 syllabus can be found here:
https://tinyurl.com/ugvywgg
Entries will close on Saturday 28th March.
Entry Fees:
Novice (Chanters/Pads) £4.00
Juvenile £5.00
C Grade, B Grade, A Grades £6
Piobaireachd (U16/U18) £6
Piobaireachd (A/B) £10
Registration will open at 9.30 am.
Competition starts from 10.30 am, (starting time subject to change of which you will receive due notice). Novice grades first, followed by Juvenile then Junior, Intermediate and Senior grades. Piobaireachd will also start at 10.30 am. Open Bass Competition will be followed by Tenor Competition - starting with Juvenile grades.
Please see the attached draw for the Leinster Solo Piping and Drumming Championships on the 29th February 2020.
