On Saturday, May 14, the Ards & North Down Pipe Championships will be taking place in Castle Park, Bangor.

This ever popular event will see Pipe Bands & Drum Majors travel from all over Northern Ireland to compete to become champions.  The event is free and runs from Noon to 6pm.

The competition which is being run by RSPBANI in conjunction with Ards and North Down Borough Council has attracted a large entry of 47 bands with bands travelling from as far as Cork to participate. Former Grade 1 World Pipe Band Champions, the Field Marshal Montgomery and St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Bands take part in the grade 1 competition along with newly promoted Bleary and District. The Drum Major competition has attracted an entry of 40 whilst a new addition of a Highland Dancing Championships has attracted 50 Highland Dancers.

Speaking about the event, The Mayor of Ards and North Down Alderman Alan Graham said: “As Mayor of North Down I am delighted to welcome the Ards and North Down Pipe Band Championships to Bangor and am especially honoured to act as ‘Chieftain of the Day’ for this prestigious event.

The Championships are a firm favourite in the Council’s Events Programme and brings a great day of family entertainment to Bangor, to be enjoyed by competitors and supporters alike.”

RSPBANI Chairman Ray Hall said, “I am pleased to see a very large entry for the Championships which makes for a great start to the 2016 season. We have worked with North Down Council down the years to promote Pipe Band Championships and now we are working with the new Council and I would like to thank Ards and North Borough Council for continuing to support the event and look forward to working with them in years to come.”

The event kicks off at 12 noon and runs till 6pm so come along for an afternoon of pure entertainment for all the family!