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There are two town centre car parks available with over 500 free car parking spaces, opposite the pedestrian entrance to Antrim Castle Gardens. An overflow car park has been organised at The Junction shopping centre with 2000 spaces. Double Decker buses will then transfer folk and equipment to the competition venue and will run throughout the day from 8.30am. Once inside The Junction car park follow the white signs to ‘Coach Drop-off Point’.
Parking for all those with a disabled badge, including disabled Motorhome users is available within the grounds as well as for band coaches.
There is no overnight parking allowed in Castle Gardens for Motorhomes at the Championships. Parking is available at the dedicated Lough Shore Caravan park (tel.02894464963). It is a leisurely 10-minute walk from the Caravan Park to Antrim Castle Gardens along the river's edge.
Local piper and drummer, William Wallace and Barney Megoran will be offering piping and drumming workshops every Wednesday during July and August at Spa Primary School [BT24 8QB] outside Ballynahinch.
These workshops are open for all although starting from children who are starting P5 in September. There is no charge for the summer school but beginners will be required to purchase their own chanter or drum pad and sticks. William or Barney can arrange to get these.
Come along on Wednesday 3rd July for enrolment and registration and a workshop any time from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
After the initial registration, more details of the lessons will be given as students will be required to come at different times depending on their level.
Please contact Gary Blair at the Ulster-Scots Agency if you have any queries on 028 90 231 113. (Kindly sponsored by The Ulster-Scots Agency).
Congratulations to our UK Champion Bands and Drum Majors-
Adult Drum Major - Emma Barr - Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band
Grade 4a - Augharan Pipe Band
Grade 3b - McNeillstown Pipe Band
Grade 3a - St Marys Pipe Band Derrytrasna
Grade 2 - Closkelt Pipe Band
Congratulations also to the following bands and drum majors who placed in today's UK Championships in the beautiful, slightly damp 🤣, Lurgan Park
Drum Majors
Junior
2nd - Benjamin Walker - Joseph Forde Memorial Pipe Band
3rd - Leanne Crooks - Syerla & District
4th - Louise Smiton - Closkelt
6th - Rachel McCann - William Kerr Memorial Pipe Band
Juvenile
3rd - Rachael Lowry - Armaghbreague
Adult
2nd - David Brownlee - Derryclavin Pipe Band
5th - Andrea McKeown Gibson - Battlehill
Bands
Grade 4b
3rd - Broughshane and District Pipe Band
4th - Mountjoy Pipe Band
5th - Syerla Pipe Band
Grade 4a
Drumming- Mc Donald Memorial Pipe Band
2nd - Cullybackey Pipe Band
5th - Gransha pipe band
6th - Cloughfin
Grade 3b
Drumming - Tullylagan Pipe Band
2nd - Tullylagan
3rd - Major Sinclair Memorial Pipe Band
Grade 3a
Drumming - St Marys, Derrytrasna
3rd - Battlehill Pipe Band
5th - Matt Boyd Memorial Pipe Band
Grade 2
2nd - Ravara Pipe Band
Grade 1
2nd - Field Marshal Montgomery
Please note that there is no overnight parking at Ballymena Academy for the All Ireland Championships.
There will be a fee of £5 at the gate for anyone not in band uniform
Band members in uniform will not be charged
Children U16 free but must be accompanied by an adult
There will be shuttle buses running from the Car Park into Arena's 2, 3 and 4
The Coach Parking will be available in the same area used for the UK Championship's Coach Parking in previous years as indicated on the attached image
We would like to remind bands of rule 3.6:
3.6. A computer printout showing all registered Band Members of that Band for the time being will be returned to the
relevant Member which must be carried by the Pipe Major or his/her assistant at all contests or competitions. On receipt of
the computer printout, the Member shall notify the Directors of any individual named on the printout who has ceased to be
a Band Member
A paper copy should be carried