The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, has welcomed the launch of the prestigious All-Ireland Pipe Band Championships which will take place in Ebrington Square on 5th July.
The event was officially launched this week by the First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, when The Executive Office unveiled plans for the Championships during a visit to Ebrington Square.
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 an additional six events in the week leading up to the Championships to promote music, dance, culture and heritage across the district.
Last hosted during the successful 2013 UK City of Culture celebrations, the event is expected to draw thousands of visitors to the city, providing a major boost for local businesses and tourism.
Welcoming the announcement, Mayor Barr said: “It is with immense pride that we welcome the All-Ireland Pipe Band Championships to our historic city on July 5th, 2025. Hosting this prestigious event at Ebrington Square represents a wonderful opportunity to showcase our rich cultural heritage and our city’s growing reputation as a premier events destination.
“The championships will not only bring the stirring sounds of world-class pipe bands to our city but will also deliver significant economic benefits to our local businesses and hospitality sector. We anticipate welcoming over 50 bands and 35 drum majors, along with their supporters, to experience the warm welcome our city is famous for.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Joint Association Committee, comprising the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch and the Irish Pipe Band Association, for choosing Ebrington Square as the venue for the 2025 championships. Their confidence in our city is a testament to our proven track record of hosting major cultural events.
“I encourage everyone to mark July 5th, 2025, in their calendars and join us for what promises to be an unforgettable day of music, pageantry, and community spirit in the heart of our city.”
Andrew Graham, Chairperson of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch added: “I am pleased to have been present at the official launch of the 78th All Ireland Championships, which this year will take place in the wonderful surroundings of Ebrington Square in Derry.
“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 excited this year to see the inclusion of a number of fringe events across the district during the week leading up to the main day’s competition.
“It is great to see a sizeable number of our bands and Drum Majors from across Northern Ireland and IPBA members from Ireland entered to compete this year. We are also very pleased to welcome bands and Drum Majors from Scotland and the USA who are also journeying to the province for this year’s Championships.
“On behalf of the RSPBA Northern Ireland Branch, I give my sincere gratitude to all our funders who are supporting this event. The First Minister and deputy First Minister and The Executive Office; The Mayor, Cllr Seenoi Barr and Derry City and Strabane District Council; and Ian Crozier and the Ulster-Scots Agency.
“I want to pledge thanks to our wonderful Branch team who have worked so hard over the last six months to bring this event to a reality this year. I also extend my continued appreciation to our colleagues within the Irish Pipe Band Association for their continued partnership and friendship with our Branch as part of the Joint Association Council.
“While there is still some more work to do, rest assured, the sound of pipes and drums, and the visual spectacle of Drum Majors and Highland Dancers at Ebrington Square will be very much alive on the first Saturday in July this year”.
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