NIBandsAssociation10 hours agoNext Saturday, 24th October, sees the Irish Championship contest continue in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh with the Accordion, Concert and Flute sections. The Championship Concert Flute section is recognized as the World Championship for Concert Flute Bands. The day begins at 11.00am with the Melody and Melody Plus Flutes and continues through the morning with 2nd Grade Accordion, 4th grade Concert, Championship accordion and Championship Concert bands.
After the break for lunch we have the Grade 2 Flute section at 2.30pm followed by the World Championship for Concert Flute Bands. The adjudicator is the well known Richard Yarr. Please come along and support this event. All day admission is only £6 with a concession price for children and pensioners.NIBandsAssociation15 hours agoA big thank you to the Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Alderman Lavelle McIwrath for visiting the Market Place Theatre in Armagh yesterday to support the 108th Championship of Ireland Bands contest. He really enjoyed the time spent and hopes to attend again next Saturday if his calander allows. A photo below taken in the theatre with NIBA Association General Secretary, Richard Whiteside and Executive Committee member, Robert McMurray.NIBandsAssociation15 hours agoA great day's competition yesterday at the 108th Championship of Ireland band contest in the Market Place Theatre in Armagh and a great turn out of bands and supporters in the theatre. The adjudicator was Mr Richard Marshall who was very encouraging and complimentary about all of the playing and the venue and arrangements. The new Community Band section was a great success with the 3rd Carrickfergus Training band and Downshire Community bands really putting on a very entertaining section and this is a section which the association hopes will continue to grow. Also it was great to see the return of the Youth brass section and the 1st Old Boys Youth band with a lot of really young players were amazing, another section the association hopes will continue to grow. The three grades were very well supported and the bands all put on great performances which the adjudicator praised. A lot of percussion this year was required across the grades which he complimented. Congratulations to all of the winning bands and thank you to all for making this such as successful contest. A full list of the results below.
Third Grade Brass
1st St.Mark's Silver 192 points
2nd Wellington Memorial 190 points
3rd Dynamic Brass 189 points
4th Dungannon Silver 187 points
5th Poyntzpass Silver 186 points
Prize for conductor of winning band. Bob Quick, St.Mark's
Second Grade Brass
1st CWA Brass193points
2nd Roughan Silver 189 points
3rd Drogheda Brass 188 points
4th Comber Silver 186 points
Best cornet section prize CWA Brass
Beat Basses prize CWA Brass
Prize for conductor of winning band. Stephen Cairns, CWA Brass
Championship Brass
1st Laganvale Metal Technology Band197 points
2nd 1st Old Boys Silver 195 points
3rd Strabane Brass 192 points
4th Downshire Brass 191 points
5th Murley Silver 189 points
6th 3rd Carrickfergus 188 points
Best instrumentalist prize Laganvale Metal Technology band
Martin Wilson best trombone prize. 1st Old Boys
Prize for conductor of winning band. Charles Fyffe, Laganvale Metal Technology Band
Youth Brass
1st 1st Old Boys Youth band 187 points
Best performance of the day Laganvale Metal Technology band
Some photos also from yesterday attached.
The contest continues next Saturday, 24th October, in the Market Place Theatre with the Championship contest for Flutes, Accordion and Concert bands when the adjudicator will be Mr Richard Yarr.NIBandsAssociation1 week agoOnly one week to go now to the 108th Championship of Ireland Band contest in the Market Place Theatre in Armagh on Saturdays 17th and 24th of October.
The 17th October is the Brass Championships starting at 10.00am with the Grade 3 Brass followed by a new Community band section and the return of our Youth band section. After lunch it will be the Grade 2 Brass starting at 1.45pm followed at approx 4.15pm with the Championship Brass Section. The winning band in the Championship Brass Section will be invited to represent the North of Ireland Bands Association at the 2028 European Championship contest to be held in Birmingham. The adjudicator on the 17th October is Mr Richard Marshall who was previously principal cornet player with the famous Black Dyke Mills Brass Band. If you are free and want a good days music at a very reasonable cost please come along.
The contest continues on Saturday 24th October with the flute, accordion and concert band sections. The adjudicator on the 24th is Mr Richard Yarr. More information on the 24th to follow later.
Events
NIBA Contest 2026
Market Place Theatre, Armagh
Saturday 17th October (Brass and Community Bands)
Adjudicator.Richard Marshall
Saturday 24th October (Flutes, Accordion, Concert and Community Bands)
Adjudicator. Richard Yarr