Six Ulster bands honoured in Lisburn

The six bands from Northern Ireland – Field Marshal Montgomery (Grade 1), Ballinderry Bridge (Grade 2), Finvoy (Grade 3A), Seven Towers (Grade 3B), Annsborough (Grade 4A), and McNeillstown (Grade 4B) – that won their respective competitions at the 2004 World Pipe Band Championships, were feted at a gathering on November 30 at Lisburn City Island Centre in Lisburn, Northern Ireland.

Dignitaries from the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association and the Ulster Scots Agency paid tribute to the bands and presented each with and engraved crystal plate made for the occasion.

The clean-sweep of the World’s titles in every adult grade has never been done by a country other than Scotland.

Brian Wilson, Syerla Pipe Band, and Elizabeth Sloan, Quinn Memorial Pipe Band, were also acknowledged for their wins in the Adult and Junior drum-major championships, respectively, at the same contest.

The increased number of bands from Northern Ireland appearing in the results of RSPBA major championships over the past 10 years has been dramatic.

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