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Closkelt

About the band

Closkelt Pipe Band from Northern Ireland formed in 1938.

History

The band originated as a flute band in 1878, but in 1938, a group of men from the band decided to learn the bagpipes.

Pipe Major

David Chesney is the Pipe Major of the band.

Grade 1 band and non-competing Development Band.

Location

The band is from the hamlet of Closkelt in the townland of Drumgooland, County Down, between Banbridge and Castlewellan.

Tartan

In 2017, the band created a custom-made tartan named “Drumgooland”.

Achievements

The band has had many successes, including:

  • Winning the Grade 4B World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow in 2011
  • Winning the Grade 2 British Championships and the Grade 2 Northern Ireland Champion of Champions in 2018
  • Winning the Ulster Championships for a third consecutive year in 2019
  • Being promoted to Grade 1 in 2019

Drumgooland is a civil parish in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is situated mainly in the historic barony of Iveagh Upper, Lower Half, with one townland in the barony of Iveagh Lower, Lower Half.

RSPBA record

The RSPBA band register lists the following entries, checked 3 October 2026. Grades and registration status are a snapshot of that register and may differ from the 2026 championship grades below.

RSPBA band number Branch Grade Pipe major Registration status
761 Northern Ireland ONE David Chesney Registered

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