ULSTER’S WORLD-BEATING PIPE BANDS CELEBRATED AT STORMONT

The hill was alive with the sound of music recently as world-class Ulster-Scots musicians came together at Parliament to mark their success at this year’s World Pipe Band Championships, in a celebration organised by the Ulster-Scots Agency at Parliament Buildings. The Great Hall was packed to capacity with pipers, drummers and drum majors in a gathering that included seven of the world’s top bands, most notably Grade One World Champions, Field Marshall Montgomery along with Ravara, Matt Boyd Memorial, Major Sinclair Memorial, Kildoag, Gransha and Syerla Pipe Bands. The gathering also included many top drum majors, including the reigning adult world champion, Tyrone-born Kara Gilmour, who competes with the Police Scotland Pipe Band.

Particular accolade was reserved for Richard Parkes MBE, who achieved a recordbreaking thirteenth world title in his role as Pipe Major of the Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band. Parkes received a special presentation from Ian Crozier as they announced plans for a new Ulster-Scots Agency supported Richard Parkes Pipe Majors Masterclass, where the FM man is set to guide Ulster’s current and future pipe band leaders.