Pipe band success in Northern Ireland
The local New Ross and District Pipe Band got their competition season off to the perfect start when they won all prizes on offer in their grade at the first contest of the season in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
The contest was attended by all the main Northern Ireland contenders for honours this season and the New Ross name was called out no less than four times as winners of the Best Piping in their grade; the best Drumming in their Grade; the Best Bass and Tenor section in their grade and finally the Best Overall band in their grade.
The New Ross band now competes at Grade 3A which places it in the top 10 per cent of competing bands.
Brian MacMahon of the New Ross and District Pipe Band said: ‘The standard of playing is extremely high and the band’s mentors were delighted with Saturday’s performance which sets them up well for major honours this season.’
The band - which recently performed at the annual Celtic Weave concert and which has represented the town and county across Ireland and Europe winning major titles in recent years - has been practicing hard all winter and already have a successful concert under their belts.
The next trip for the band will be the Mid-Ulster Championships in Cookstown, County Tyrone, in early June followed by appearances at the All Ireland Championships in Lurgan in July, the UK Championships in Belfast and of course the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow in August.