*
banner

Results: 93rd Championship of Ireland

1st Old Boys take the honours in Armagh under the baton Michael Fowles.

Fowles
 

The results for the 93rd Championship of Ireland Contest organised by the North of Ireland Bands Association in Armagh on Saturday 16th October saw Mike Fowles lead 1st Old Boys Band to the title.

Victory

Their performance of Kenneth Downie's 'St Magnus' saw them claim victory over rivals Laganvale, with Murley Silver in third.

In addition the 'Best Instrumentalist' award went to Old Boy's John Egan, whilst the band also picked up the Irish Tourist Board Trophy for the best performance of the day.

Adjudicator Alan Fernie stated that there had been three excellent performances with two outstanding bands, whilst his his words the winning band had 'super soloists and created some magic moments'.

There was even more success on the day for the Old Boys Band as their youth ensemble came runner up in the newly created youth section.

Results:
Adjudicators: Alan Fernie

Championship:
1. 1st Old Boys Silver (M. Fowles) — 95
2. Laganvale (Metal Technology) (E. Ruddock) — 94
3. Murley Silver (W. Hill) — 93

Best Soloist: John Egan (1st Old Boys)


2nd Grade:
1. Downshire Brass (M. Alcorn) — 89
2. 3rd Carrickfergus (D. Graham) — 88
3. Drogheda Brass — 87

Best Bass Section: Drogheda Brass
Best Cornet Section: Downshire Brass


3rd Grade:
1. Comber Silver (W. Thompson) — 85
2. St Mark's Silver (C. McBride) — 84
3. CWA Brass (F. Moore) — 83


4th Grade:
1. Dungannon Silver (F. Mitchell) — 83
2. Warrenpoint Silver (S. Murray) — 81


5th Grade/Unaffiliated:
1. Letterbreen Silver (S. Crooks) — 79
2. Greystone Silver (E. Dalton) — 78
3. Banbridge Silver (A.Cooke) — 77

Junior Brass:
1. Roughan Silver Junior (K. Anderson) — 82
2. 1st Old Boys Silver Junior (Mrs J Bingham) — 81
3. Downshire Brass Junior (M. Alcorn) — 80

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


ConsTest

Result: 2026 ConsTest Birmingham Open

April 11 • Derwent Brass claim the honours in the heart of Birmingham with a show of future ambition.


New Zealand

Results: 2026 New Zealand National Championships

April 11 • North Shore Brass breaks the Wellington stranglehold on the A Grade honours as there are section wins for St Kilda Brass, Rolleston Brass, Brass Whanganui Concert Brass and Tonga Collge Brass


Eikanger-Bjørsvik celebrating

World Rankings: April 2026

April 9 • Eikanger-Bjørsvik return to the top of the rankings following their recent victory at the Norwegian Championships in Bergen.


Victoria Wood

Limited tickets only for NYBBGB Easter concerts

April 8 • There are only limited tickets left if you wish to enjoy the New Horizons Concerts of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Leyburn and Manchester — so be quick.


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


Glossop Old Band

April 9 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a principal cornet player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history.


Harrogate Band

April 8 • We are looking for a Solo Cornet and Back Row Cornet to complete our team. . Interesting mix of engagements and contests. . Rehearsals Wednesday 8pm at our own bandroom located next to Hornbeam Park train station. Great transport links


Glossop Old Band

April 8 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a BB bass player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history.


Alwyn Green

LRAM, LTCL
Conductor, composer, arranger, adjudicator, teacher and soloist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd