New Ross Pipe Band create history with world success
NEW ROSS and District Pipe Band created another bit of history on Saturday when they won second prize at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow.
Members and supporters of the band were delighted at the historic win. Both the ‘ A’ and ‘ B’ bands competed in their respective grades. Pipe bands are graded as 4B, 4A, 3B, 3A, Grade 2 and Grade 1.
The vast majority of bands are at the 4B and 4A level. The New Ross band has previously won the world title at 4A and 3B levels and currently compete in Grade 3A.
Having won second in the world at this level and a very credible third place in the UK Championships in July, the New Ross band are now automatically promoted to Grade 2 level and are now the only band in the south of Ireland to compete at that very high level.
Brian MacMahon of the band said: ‘ This is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication from the New Ross group and the band are eagerly looking forward to the challenge of competing in the top 10 per cent of bands over the coming years. The band are blessed with two of the most talented leaders in the pipe band world in Nigel O’Neill (piping) and Mark Bardgett (drumming) and both men were delighted after their years of hard work with the band.’
Despite a very good performance in the Grade 4B qualifier, the New Ross ‘4B’ band failed to make it into the final.
‘ The band’s mentors were delighted with the standard of the performance and were really pleased with the professionalism shown by their young band.’
The senior band took part in the 3A qualification section which they won. They then had to play a second set in the 3A final and were delighted to be called out in second place overall just a couple of points behind the winning band, the Royal Burgh of Stirling.
‘ The World Championships were attended by 230 bands from all parts of the world, including USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and most countries in Europe - so it was truly a source of great pride to the large contingent of New Ross supporters and players to hear the New Ross name called out.’