Trophies galore for McDonald Memorial

Dromore’s McDonald Memorial Pipe Band has been showing off the impressive array of silverware it has secured with a string of competition successes.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Oct 2014, 10:48 BST
McDonald Memorial Pipe Band pictured on Sunday 12th October with the bands winning silverware. Included are Norman McDonald jnr, Pipe Major and Norman McDonald snr, Founder and President (left) and Vikki Singer, Drum Major and Ronnie McDonald, Pipe Sergeant (right) and Trevor Clydesdale, Drum Sergeant (left in front row).McDonald Memorial Pipe Band pictured on Sunday 12th October with the bands winning silverware. Included are Norman McDonald jnr, Pipe Major and Norman McDonald snr, Founder and President (left) and Vikki Singer, Drum Major and Ronnie McDonald, Pipe Sergeant (right) and Trevor Clydesdale, Drum Sergeant (left in front row).
McDonald Memorial Pipe Band pictured on Sunday 12th October with the bands winning silverware. Included are Norman McDonald jnr, Pipe Major and Norman McDonald snr, Founder and President (left) and Vikki Singer, Drum Major and Ronnie McDonald, Pipe Sergeant (right) and Trevor Clydesdale, Drum Sergeant (left in front row).

The band was established in 1977 by brothers Joesy, Albert, Norman and Jim McDonald, in memory of their father David, who piped at the Somme with the 36th Ulster Division.

Trevor and the late Donald Cunningham - grandsons of David - were also founding members of the band, which was named world champion in its grade in 1978.

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After a 25-year break, the band returned to competition in July 2011. The current president, Norman McDonald, succeeded his brother, the late Jim, who passed away in February 2013.The Pipe Major is Norman’s son, also Norman; Pipe Sergeant is Jim’s son Ronnie and the Drum Sergeant is Trevor Clydesdale.

Sonya Rooney, Elyse, Andrew and Rachelle McDonald and Alexander Orr, great grandchildren of David, currently play in the band.

The band welcomes anyone interested in learning pipes or drum on Mondays 7.30 - 8pm at Ballyvicknakelly Rural Development Hall.