Ards Cultural Identity Peninsula Pipes 10th June 2005

Each year, thousands of visitors flock to the Ards Peninsula to enjoy the sights and sounds of the coastal area. The Ards is famous for Scrabo Tower, Mountstewart, the fishing port of Portavogie and even Pale-Bellied Brent Geese, but few people realise we have world class musicians living in every town and village. They’re not rock stars, rap artists or lead guitarists. These musicians gather in village halls and living rooms to play BAGPIPES.


More than one hundred artists practice every week on the Scottish Highland Pipes aiming to become Ulster Champions, Highland Champions and even World Champions at playing this complex and ancient instrument. On Friday 10th June, many of the most talented artists on the Peninsula gathered at the Strangford Arms Hotel to perform and talk about their passion, piping. Colin Magee of

Panarts said:

“I can’t think of another area in Northern Ireland that has so many highland bagpipers playing at such a high standard. Many of the musicians play with the reigning world championship band ‘The Field Marshall Montgomery’ and live in Newtownards and surrounding towns. Many others play with The Ravarra, Cottown, Dr. Wright, Kirkistown, Cleland Memorial and Ballycoan Bands. We even have a champion piper called Bradley Parker who travels to play with the Cullybackey Pipe Band and he’s only eight years of age! Our free concert celebrated the achievements of all pipers living in the Ards and the audience heard small pipes, different chanters and the melodic tones of the Irish Uilleann or Union Pipes. All of these instruments have their roots in the Middle East”

Having looked at the song and fiddle Traditions, this event was part of a series of free concerts organised by Panarts to celebrate different forms of cultural expression in the area. The Ards Local Strategy Partnership has provided funding through the European Union Peace 2 Programme to host five different events.

<< back one page