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Special events add to entertainment at Fermanagh  

Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell

The Co. Fermanagh section of the RSPBA held their annual pipe band championships last Saturday at Celtic Park Enniskillen.

This year, to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee, they put on two very special events as well as their usual pipe band and drum major competitions.

The Tully Traditional Instrumental Group from Dublin, featuring the small pipes, flutes and bodhran and the 'Brian Boru' pipe band from Cavanaleck were a welcome attraction in entertaining the crowd.

Thanks must go to the Co. Fermanagh President Jim Henderson for his valuable contribution in these special events.

The tussle for supremacy in Grade 2 continues between Ballycoan and Upper Crossgare with last week's verdict going to this year's Scottish champions Ballycoan.

Upper Crossgare took runner up place and the two trophies for best bass and best drum corps.

St. Marv's Derrytrasna who, even though they only fielded seven pipers, put on a splendid performance and clinched third place.

Special praise must go to Killeen Pipe Band from Co. Armagh. Their Pipe Major Philip Boyce was on his honeymoon so his brother Derek, who is Pipe Sergeant, took his place, and led the band to a commendable fourth placing.

In Grade 3A Banbridge had a great day and produced a hat trick by winning 1st overall, best bass and best drums Killadeas, just back in the competitive arena had to he delighted with taking best pipes and overall runner up place.

It was delightful performance from Finvoy Pipe band from Co. Londonderry which secured their 1st place win. Hollymount took runner up place with Bready winning best bass and best drum corps and overall third placing.

It was a hat trick again for the Quinn Memorial in Grade 4A - 1st overall, best bass and best drums.

This is proving to be a very successful start to the new season for Pipe Major Harry Broomfield and Leading Tip Robert Lennox, after their will at the Scottish Championships recently in Dumbarton.

The last grade. of 4B was won by Manorcunningham from Co. Donegal.

This band has not been out at the contest arena for several years, and this win must be a great encouragement to them.

Gransha took runner up place and won best drums and best bass.

Another band who have been absent from the competitions for some years was ABD Antrim and they were delighted with a fourth place.

This Saturday is the Co. Antrim Championships in Ahoghill.

The following Saturday - 8 June - will be the Mid Ulster Championships in Cookstown. Then the Co. Down Championships will take place on 15 June in Banbridge.

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association is overwhelmed that a record breaking 144 pipe bands have entered for the 2002 European Pipe band Championships to be held at the Ormeau Park, Belfast on Saturday 22 June.

Organised in conjunction with Belfast City Council, the European Championships will have the largest assembly of pipe bands not only in Northern Ireland but in all of Ireland.

The High Sheriff of Belfast Councillor Wallace Browne, who has just announced that he has accepted the honour of being the Chieftain of the Day, said:

Ulster Star
31/05/2002