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The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch (RSPBANI) and Ards and North Down Borough Council are pleased to announce the launch of the 2022 Ards and North Down Pipe Band Championships.

The event returns to the seaside town of Bangor this year and will take place on Saturday 14 May from 10am in Castle Park.

This highly anticipated championship will be the first competitive pipe band event to take place in Northern Ireland since 2019 after the pandemic cancelled both the 2020 and 2021 events. This championship will feature contests for Pipe Bands, Drum Majors and Highland Dancing.

President & Life Ambassador of the RSPBANI, Mr Winston Pinkerton, said:

"This will be the first event under our strategy for 2022 of 'Rebuild, Restart, Rediscover' and the branch looks forward to welcoming everyone back to the grass after two seasons out."

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Mark Brooks, said:

“The Ards and North Down Pipe Band Championships are always a highlight of the year. They attract many people to our beautiful Borough so I am delighted to see them return for the first time since 2019 and I am looking forward to seeing Castle Park buzzing with excitement again.”

As is traditional, a short parade of bands will take place in Castle Park Avenue at the end of the day after the finale, results and prize giving.

Visit www.rspbani.org for more information. 

For media enquiries or any further details please contact: 

Erinn McIlwaine, RSPBANI Press Officer

07515 556025

press@rspbani.org

Unfortunately, we could not facilitiate the Festival on 7th May, but may consider an alternative Festival date later in the summer. 

The Ards & North Down Pipe Band Championships will be held on Saturday 14th May 2022 at Castle Park, Bangor. This highly anticipated event will be the first championship to take place since 2019 and will feature Pipe Band, Drum Major & Highland Dancing Competitions. RSPBANI will look forward to welcoming everyone back to the grass.

Entries for Pipe Band and Drum Major events will open on Monday 11th April.

Entires for the Highland Dancing events will open on Monday 25th April.

Car Parking details can be found HERE

Motorhomes are not permitted to use Town Centre car parks and should check in advance on suitable locations. Further information can be found HERE

Please find the timetable for the upcoming Ulster Solos in the attached image

RSPBANI is offering the opportunity for established outdoor catering companies to apply for the catering concessions. Any experienced provider wishing to be considered for the contract is invited to submit an expression of interest.

Providers are expected to have a sound financial standing and be able to demonstrate a successful delivery of similar contracts. 

Link to Expression of Interest Form

For queries please contact michelle.shilliday@rspbani.org

Tenders are invited for ‘Trading Licences’ to supply Goods and Services at the 75th Anniversary All Ireland Pipe Band Championships, which will be staged in the Town Park (Pearse Park), New Ross, Co Wexford on Saturday 2nd July 2022

General Rules for Vendors
a) ‘Site’ is the term used to describe the Town Park, New Ross, Co Wexford and its environs
b) ‘Pitch’ is the term used to define the allocated vending area, within the Town Park, New Ross, Co Wexford.
c) Vendors will be allowed on site from Friday 1st July post 14.00 hrs and from 8.00-19.00 hrs on Saturday 2nd July 2022.
d) Vendors will be posted their ‘Trading Licence’. The Trading Licence should be displayed prominently at the pitch throughout the day
e) Power and water have to be brought on site by the vendor
f) Vendors for ‘food stuff’ sales should be competent vendors with regulatory certification (HSE or FSA NI) and also with appropriate insurance indemnification, a copy of which has to be forwarded with your application.
g) The IPBA may accept or reject any or all tenders as it sees fit
h) Only approved vendors with a ‘Trading Licence’ issued by the IPBA will be allowed on site
i) To receive the ‘Trading Licence’ payment must be made by Friday 17th June 2022

Queries

•  Any queries to Noel O’Mahony, IPBA Treasurer

How to Tender
Tenders must contain

• Vendors Form properly filled in
• The amount tendered for a ‘Trading Licence’ must be clearly stated (please specify if this amount is in Euros or British Pounds)
• Tenders must be received by Friday 3rd June 2022
• This Vendors Form, together with a copy of your insurance, should be sent by ‘hard-copy’ or e mailed to:

Noel O’Mahony, IPBA Treasurer
omahony.69@gmail.com 00353 (0)879773029
Dromore, Dromohane, Mallow P51W2X3, Co Cork, ROI

Vendor Form attached

AUGHARAN PIPE BAND
2, LISNAGLEER ROAD DUNGANNON BT70 3NL

‘Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC103145’  

Trip to "The British Pipe Band Championships" 2022 In Greenock

Coach, Ferry & 1 Night Bed & Breakfast
at Premier Inn Greenock
from
Friday 20th May to Saturday 21st May  

Coach Journey:
Leaving Lisnagleer Community Hall      
2 Lisnagleer Road Dungannon BT70 3NL
Friday 20th May 5.00am sharp
Pick-ups along route can be arranged

Ferry: Stena
Belfast Sailing Fri 20th @ 7.30am and return Cairnryan Sailing Sat 21st @ 19.30pm

Cost Per/Person £150
Family rates on request.
A deposit is required to secure booking.
Full Payment must be received before 14th April 2022.

To Secure a Place on this Trip Contact:
Alastair Brown    Mobile:   07989536545
e-mail: a.brown149@btinternet.com

A reminder that the March Branch meeting will take place on Wednesday 9th March at 7.30pm via zoom

Zoom link, agenda and minutes will be sent to Band Secretaries via email