Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in partnership with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch (RSPBANI) presented the 64th Ulster Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships in Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor on Saturday the 8 August.
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Newry Mourne and Down District Council Vice Chairperson Cllr Gillian Fitzpatick with bands members in Kilbroney Park. [/caption]
Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick, Vice Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council said: “The Ulster Championship is a prestigious cross border/cross community cultural event. It impacts positively on our cultural tourism generating income in the local community. In hosting this event in Kilbroney, the Council has attracted participants and spectators from across the island of Ireland and much further afield.
“Today our visitors have enjoyed the fabulous setting of Kilbroney Park overlooking Carlingford Lough and I hope that they will encourage friends and family to come visit and savour both the natural and cultural heritage of this area.
“Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has a strong commitment to promoting the culture and heritage of all the people of the district, an area in which pipe band music plays such an important role. The Council is delighted to be working in partnership with the team from the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association NI Branch to deliver what has proved to be an entertaining and competitive event.
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Eddie McMullan, president of the Annsborough Pipe Band, receives a welcome handshake from Cllr Naomi Bailie, Chairperson of Newry and Mourne District Council at the Downshire Civiv Centre as she hands over the role of chieftain to him for the day at the Ulster Pipe Band Championships.[/caption]
“Today’s competition afforded local people the opportunity to experience at first hand, performances by some of the best exponents of pipe band music in Ireland. On behalf of the Newry, Mourne and Down Community I wish those participants best wishes in the World Championships and assure them of a welcome in the District at future events.”
RSPBANI Chairman Ray Hall said: “We are delighted to partner Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to present the 64th Ulster Championships in beautiful Kilbroney Park with the stunning Mourne Mountains as a backdrop.
“There is an entry of 50 pipe bands and 41 Drum Majors and we bid a special welcome to our overseas competitor the New Zealand Police Pipe Band on their visit to the Championships. It promises to be a day of great Pipe Band music, Highland Dancing, colour and pageantry with plenty of side attractions to keep the whole family entertained.”
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