The Fermanagh Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships 2024 were a great success at the weekend, with Enniskillen welcoming some of the country’s top competition Pipe Bands and Drum Majors on Saturday, some of whom were Worlds, European, Scottish and Irish Champions.

Taking place from mid-morning until early evening, the popular gathering – organised by the Fermanagh Section of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association – followed in the footsteps of previous long-established, cross-Border, cross-community events, with excellent organisation helping matters to pass off smoothly.

The President of the section, Betty Booth, acknowledged the untiring efforts of the section and the efforts and organisation required to stage such an event.

Mrs. Booth added that the section appreciated the assistance of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland branch officials and all sponsors, the main sponsor being Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, which helped to reignite the Fermanagh Championships.

The Chieftain of the day was former World Champion Piper Major of Killadeas Pipe Band, Kenny Ferguson, with his wife, Lorraine, presenting the prizes.

Mr. Ferguson welcomed all the bands, Drum Majors and visitors to the island town of Enniskillen, and said he hoped all enjoyed the wonderful music and all Enniskillen had to offer.

The host county was represented by the Irvine Memorial Pipe Band in Grade 4A under the direction of Pipe Major Neil Strong.

The Irvine Memorial won the Cable Finance Cup for achieving this place; this added to the Irvine Memorial second place at the UK Championships in Bangor, Co. Down, in Grade 4A on May 18.

In Grade 3A, Clogher and District Pipe Band had a clean sweep of the grade, winning first place, best pipes, best drums, best bass section and best M & D.

The Clogher and District Pipe Band is under the direction of Pipe Major Kyle Duddy.