Ards and North Down Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships 2025

17th July 2025

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch with the kind support of Ards and North Down Borough Council is pleased to announce that the Ards and North Down Pipe Band + Drum Major Championships 2025 will again be returning to the town of Newtownards on Saturday 19 July. This year, the event will be taking place at Regent House Playing Fields situated on Comber Road, just five minutes from Conway Square in the centre of the town. The Chieftain of the Day is Councillor Vicky Moore, Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down.

Councillor Vicky Moore, Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down said:
“The Ards and North Down Pipe Band Championships are a firm favourite in the Council’s events programme. It brings a great day of entertainment to Newtownards that is enjoyed by competitors and supporters alike. We are thrilled to host the Championships this year and I am honoured to act as Chieftain of the Day. I wish all competitors and everyone involved every success.”

Andrew Graham, Chair of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch said:
"Coming into what will be the start of a busy period for our bands and Drum Majors, we are very much looking forward to a return to Newtownards for this year’s Championships. The kind support of Ards and North Down Borough Council is much appreciated, and The Branch is always grateful to Council for continuing to support Championships within the Borough and I pass on my sincere thanks to Wendy and team for all the work they put in to support us. I am excited to welcome the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Vicky Moore as our Chieftain of the Day and look forward to seeing our bands and Drum Majors on what will promise to be a great day and I wish them all the very best of luck. My gratitude as always also extends to our brilliant Branch team for their careful organisation of this Championship event and of course to our other volunteers for their continued hard work!”

Free parking will be available on a first come, first come served basis at the grounds of Regent House School located on Circular Road, Newtownards BT23 4QA. There you will be directed, to the event site, only a few minute’s walk away. Limited Accessible Parking for those with a blue badge will be available at the event site and you can apply for this in advance through the Branch website on the dedicated event page at: www.rspbani.org/event/ards-2025, where all event information is available.

There will be our usual array of food and drink vendors at the venue on the day and there is also a wide selection of shops and eateries around Newtownards town centre, only a short distance walk away which we would also encourage everyone to support. A small parade from the event venue up to Conway Square with local bands Kirkistown and Cleland Memorial together with Down Academy Pipes and Drums from Ballynahinch is scheduled for 2:30pm.