Local pipe band is best in the world

St Colmcille’s Pipe Band is to parade its trophies through Tullamore town this evening (Monday) in the wake of being crowned world champions in Glasgow at the weekend.

Seventeen band members travelled to Glasgow for the World Pipe Band Championship last Saturday, August 17.

The band’s performance in their qualifying heat at approximately 1pm on the day got them through to the final twelve in the competition, and a performance at 3.44pm sealed their fate as champions.

The band’s great win at the weekend followed a somewhat disappointing fourth placing at the Ulster Championships in Newtownards the weekend before. However after that outing members quickly turned their attention and focus to the Glasgow outing, and their Grade 4A competition.

Speaking after the win band secretary Pat Nolan said the absence of former band member Willie Currams, who emigrated last year to Canada, was a big one.

“This world title is his every bit as much as the 17 pipers and drummers that crossed the line in Glasgow today,” he said on Facebook. “We wouldn’t or couldn’t have been there without him.”

Willie was full of good wishes for the band however, saying that the win was deserved. “I’m over the moon and will be popping the champagne bottle within the hour,” he said.

The plan for this evening will see St Colmcille’s Pipe Band march from the Kilbeggan Bridge to O’Connor Square at approximately 7pm, subject to Garda clearance.