All About Cork: Carrigaline Pipe Band arrive home as world champions

Wild scenes of joy and excitement greeted the announcement that Carrigaline Pipe Band had won the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow last Saturday. The band also won the World Championships in the drumming section.

This time last year the band made no secret of their ambition to win the World Pipe Band Championships in 2025, and now they have seen the dream come true.

However, it did not happen by accident. The band set high targets and high standards, upgraded their instruments, and set a demanding programme of band practice.

Carrigaline were unbeaten in pipe band competitions this year.

They won the Leinster Band Championship and the Drum Corps section at Howth, Co Dublin, in May.

The following month, they won the Mid-Ulster Pipe Band Championships in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.

In July, they added the All-Ireland Pipe Band Championships and the Drum Corps section to their roll of honour in Derry.

In a post on their Facebook page, the band expressed their delight at being crowned World Champions.

“We cannot even begin to explain this feeling — we are absolutely over the moon! First overall and first overall drumming — what an achievement for our band, our town, and every single person who has supported us along the way.

“A huge thank you to everyone who has helped us on this journey — our families, tutors, supporters, and friends. We couldn’t have done it without you.

“To say we are ecstatic is an understatement — dreams really do come true!”

Last Sunday morning, Carrigaline Pipe Band arrived home into Cork Airport to a tumultuous welcome from family, friends, and the public.

After a couple of days of rest and relaxation, the band had their homecoming parade down Carrigaline’s Main St to the Owenabue car park, to the sound of rousing applause from the large crowd who flanked the route.

Now, they will take a well-deserved break for a few weeks.

A major recruitment campaign is planned for September to give the next generation an opportunity to join the band and learn piping and drumming from the best.

A victory dinner will take place in the Carrigaline Court Hotel in October.

For further information, contact Paddy O’Connell on 087 9685833.

Tidy Towns activities

Carrigaline Tidy Towns is planning to paint a number of vacant premises on Main St, and has commissioned another mural for the month ahead.

These projects should enhance the appearance of the town.

The Woodland Walk is becoming very popular and work to improve the amenity continues.

Tidy Towns volunteers continue to meet every Tuesday at 10am, Wednesday at 6.30pm, and Saturday at 9.30am to litter pick, weed, deadhead, and water the flowers.

Last Saturday morning, they were invited to Coco Rooster for refreshments.

New members are always welcome. Enquiries to carrigalinetidytowns@gmail.com or call to headquarters in the Owenabue car park at the above hours.

Lions Club set for film awards

Carrigaline Lions Club received a huge response of over 60 applicants to participate in the upcoming Carrigaline Film Awards.

A Dublin production team came to cast the first 35 applicants last Sunday, with the remaining applicants to be interviewed and cast on Monday, September 1, after which rehearsals and filming will begin.

One of the participants in the Carrigaline Film Awards has organised an End of Summer children’s event, to be held tomorrow, in aid of the wonderful charity partners in this year’s film awards.

The location will be the Lions Youth Centre from 12pm to 2pm, with the event providing fun activities and creative workshops.

The response to the Lions Club 34th annual Cycle Classic on Saturday, September 27, in aid of three cancer charities is well up on last year and may create a record for recent years. The event has distances to suit everybody, from 100k to 50k and 30k, and there is still time to register.

Irish dance recruitment

The Kiely Walsh Academy of Irish Dance, which had a highly successful year winning honours at Feiseanna, Munster, All Ireland, and World Championships, will be recruiting the next generation of dancers on Monday, September 1, in Carrigaline Pipe Band Hall.

Montessori and junior infant children are welcome from 3pm to 4pm, senior infants and first class from 4pm to 5pm, and second class upwards from 5pm to 6pm.

Men’s Shed set for show

Carrigaline Men’s Shed is gearing up to participate in Ballygarvan Agricultural Show tomorrow. The men plan to be ready with their display by 10am tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the woodworkers have fairy doors ready for Tidy Towns to install in the Waterpark woodland, and work is progressing on preparing restored agricultural machinery for public display around Carrigaline in collaboration with Tidy Towns and Cork County Council.

On Monday, the walking group plans to go to Midleton and will meet at the shed at 10am for the bus to the station and train to Midleton. Some of the choir will travel to perform in Dromcollogher on Tuesday. Weekly choir practice will recommence on Tuesday, September 2, at 10.30am.

Enquiries to Roger Morrissey, 087 220 3547.

Cork Diocesan Pioneer Mass

Pioneers from far and near are invited to the annual Cork Diocesan Pioneer Mass in the Church of Our Lady and St John, Carrigaline, on Saturday September, 6, at 6pm.

Long Service pins and certificates will be presented after Mass followed by refreshments. Anyone who missed the opportunity to be a pioneer or those who wish to rejoin are invited to do so. Enquiries to Aislinn, 087 9699 488.

Invitation to Alpha Experience

The Alpha Experience course will run on Thursday from 7.30pm to 9pm, starting on September 4 in Carrigaline Parish Centre.

Alpha is a 10-week experience covering topics such as who is Jesus, why did Jesus die, how does God guide us, why and how do I pray?

Alpha is relaxed, non-threatening, low key, friendly, and fun. Every session begins with food, followed by a video and discussion.

Contact the Parish Office on 021 4371109 or email carrigalinealpha@gmail.com for more.

Preparations for Culture Night

The organising committee of Carrigaline Culture Night, which will take place on Friday, September 19, is very pleased with the level of interest and support it is receiving from arts and cultural interests in the locality.

All exhibitions and many of the events will start at 4pm. Venues will include Carrigaline Library, the Lions Club, Carrigaline Court Hotel, and Barry Collins SuperValu Mall. Outdoor activities will include the cultural parade led by the Carrigaline Pipe Band down Main St to the Owenabue car park. A raised stage will accommodate the Kiely Walsh Academy of Irish Dance and other acts. Piper’s amusements will be in the Owenabue car park.

To become involved, contact 087 8137990.

Have news to share? Contact Bill.browne@theecho.ie