This article is from page 34 of the 2008-07-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 34 JPG
A STUNNING and colourful specta- cle is planned for Ennis this coming Saturday, when the town will echo to the tunes of world-class pipers.
The 63rd Annual All-Ireland Pipe Band Championships, which are held alternately North and South of the border every second year, are being held in the town in the Showgrounds, Drumbiggle.
Irish Pipe Band Association Vice- President Michael Egan, said, “This year we are indeed very proud to be hosting the All-Ireland in Ennis – the first time back in Munster in almost 30 years and the first time ever in
OE Tome
The competition, run by the Irish Pipe Band Association, 1s an inter- national competition; open world- BCG Com
This is the premier event in the IPBA calendar and more than 60 Pipe Bands will travel to Ennis from all over the island of Ireland, Scot- land, England, France, the USA and Canada for the weekend.
“Virtually all the 6 competition grades possess reigning or former world champions, therefore the standard will be extremely high. All competitions will be held in the open, in the main horse jumping are- na of the Showgrounds, so everyone
is invited to avail of this opportunity to see some of the best pipe bands in the world in action here in Ennis,” Michael said.
Starting at llam, competitions take place throughout the day in all grades. Spectators will enjoy per- formances from the reigning World Champions, FM Montgomery Me- morial Pipe Band from Lisburn. Also competing with be the reign- ing All-Ireland and 2008 Scottish Champions, St Laurence O’Toole’s Pipe Band from Dublin.
In a stunning finale, the festival will culminate in a march past of all competitors and Massed Bands Salute to the Chieftain at 5.30pm.
This display will see over 1,000 pip- ers playing “Let Erin Remember” in honour of the Chieftain, who on the day will be the Mayor of Ennis.
Immediately following the display there will be a Parade of Winning Bands through the streets of Ennis at about 6.30pm
“This competition is a major under- taking, which could not have been organised without a great effort at national and in particular local level.
“I would like to take this opportu- nity to wholeheartedly thank all our main sponsors, Ennis Town Council and Failte Ireland, without whose generosity it would not have been possible,’ Michael said.