Derry to welcome All Ireland Pipe Band Championships this weekend

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council has expressed his excitement for the prestigious All Ireland Pipe-Band Championships which takes place in Ebrington Square this weekend.

Officially launched by First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, The Executive Office unveiled plans for the Championships during a visit to Ebrington Square in May this year. 

Last hosted during the successful 2013 UK City of Culture celebrations, the Championships are expected to draw thousands of visitors to the city, providing a major boost for local businesses and tourism.

Mayor of DCSDC, Cllr Ruairí McHugh, said he was delighted to welcome the event and looked forward to attending the championships this weekend.

“We are all really looking forward to welcoming the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships to our historic city on Saturday. Hosting this prestigious event at Ebrington Square is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our rich cultural traditions and showcase Derry’s vibrant spirit and hospitality.

“I am particularly excited to welcome visitors, performers and supports to Derry this weekend. The city is preparing to put on an unforgettable celebration of music, heritage and community pride. With over 45 bands with 35 drum majors and an incredible programme of fringe events, this will be a weekend to remember. I encourage everyone to mark July 5th in their diaries and come out to enjoy this extraordinary event in the heart of our city."

Andrew Graham, Chairperson of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch, said: “I am pleased to see the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships return to the historic city of Derry~Londonderry, and specifically a welcome return to the wonderful surroundings of Ebrington Square. This flagship event in our pipe band calendar is always a highlight every two years when our Branch hosts it within Northern Ireland and I am very much looking forward to welcoming the Bands, Drum Majors, Highland Dancers and of course, our spectators back to the city for the first time since 2013.

“I am also particularly excited this year to have our Fringe events in the week leading up to the main Championships. These different events will showcase the many talents of our Pipers, Drummers, Drum Majors and also Highland Dancers, who share such a close relationship to Pipes and Drums. These Fringe events will provide such an opportunity to be immersed in Ulster Scots music and culture right across the district. Get Ready - Get Excited!”

Brian McMahon, Chairperson of The Irish Pipe Band Association – Cumann Buíon Píobaire na hÉireann said: "I am delighted to be once again joining with friends and colleagues of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch for the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships. I am also delighted that this, the 78th hosting of this great event, will take place in the historic city of Derry once again. I am very proud of the fact that the pipe band movement is a shared culture through which we celebrate the music and culture of both the Scots and the Irish and through which we can appreciate each other’s traditions and styles of playing music."

The event is part-funded by Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Community Festival Fund and the Ulster-Scots Agency, with support from The Executive Office. There will be a range of other events including six additional events in the week leading up to the Championships to promote music, dance, culture and heritage across the district with bands visiting from Connecticut USA, Belguim and Scotland.

There will also be a Highland Dance Competition from 9am on Saturday, July 5 in Ebrington Hotel. Run in association with Sollus Highland Dancers and New Gate Arts, dancers from right across the province will come together to give spectators a show not to be missed with top standards of Highland Dance on display.

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For more information, please visit https://rspbani.org/event/all-ireland-2025/ or follow The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch on Facebook and Instagram.