Letterkenny and District Pipe Band was founded in the year 2000 by the current pipe major Mervyn Elvin and his family. Mervyn had immense experience in piping and his family were already famous through out Scotland and Ireland for their world titles as drum majors. Roger, Judith, Wendy, and Jennifer joined the band with seven world titles between them which they achieved while members of Convoy pipe band. Roger also piped while the three girls were competent pipers and drummers.

In January 2000 Mervin was invited by the P.W.A in Newtowncunningham to bring a group of pipers to perform at a Burns night supper and from this performance it was obvious there was talent and enthusiasm and he saw the realisation of his dream to form a pipe band in letterkenny. He subsequently registered with the Irish Pipe Band Association, thus the origin of Letterkenny and District Pipe Band. Practices began in the Elvin family home. pipers practiced on the chanter in the living room while the drummers gathered around the kitchen table to practice on their drum pads. On fine evenings the neighbours were entertained by the pipes and drums. At a later date we acquired the use of Conwal Parish Hall and practices moved there.

Once the band was formed the mammoth task of fundraising for uniform and instruments began. A few of the pipers had their own pipes while a number of pipes and drums were borrowed from other bands.

In May 2000 we were invited to host and perform in "Piping through Ireland" in the Mount Errigal Hotel. This was a joint venture by Na Piobaire Uileann and the Northern Ireland branch of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association. We felt honoured to be associated with this event as it was one of four concerts held in Ireland. Uniforms had to be purchased and they were ordered on the strength of the proceeds of the forthcoming concert. New kilts in the modern Mc Beth tartan arrived from Scotland on the day of the concert. This was a very successful concert and we had made our debut.

Our first competition was at the Cowel Highland Gathering in Dunoon in Scotland in August 2000. This was a very enjoyable and memorable weekend. The band achieved a good result and Wendy Elvin drum major with the band became Cowel Champion in the juvenile grade.

Picture No 1

Founder members who competed at Cowal Games

Harold Kerr (drum sergeant) Joanne Moore, Steven Tinney, Judith Elvin, Zena Gordan, Wendy Elvin, Ann Mc Rury, Jennifer Elvin,John Hamilton, Mervyn Elvin (pipe major) and Robert Thomas.

In January 2001 we hosted our own "Burns Night" in Conwal Parish Hall in Letterkenny with music, song and dance and the traditional Burns supper with the haggis. This was a much needed fund raiser and has become a yearly event, along with a concert in An Grianan Theatre every April and a supper Dance in the Mount Errigal Hotel in October.

The band competed at a number of competitions in the 2001 season including the British Championships in bandbridge County down,the European Championships in Ayr and the World Championships in Glasgow. There was great excitement when Letterkenny Pipe Band was presented with a certificate and a cheque for £1000 for the best marching Pipe Band at the European Championships. To crown this achievement jennifer Elvin was awarded the title of European Champion drum major.

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Band at 2001 European Championships

The band was invited by the Lord Provost of Glasgow to take Part in the International Massed Pipe Band Parade in Glasgow and to a Civic Reception in the City Chambers on the day prior to the World Championships. This parade is comprised of bands from all over the world. The band also took part in this parade in 2003, 2004 and 2006. We competed at the World championships on the followind day.

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Picture at George Square glasgow

2002 was a memorable year for Jennifer as she took her 4th World title.

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Allyn Vance joined the band in 2002 as Drum Sergeant taking of the drum corps.

In 2003 we were invited to participate in St, Patrick's Day parade and this has become an annual event for us. In 2006 we won "Best band on parade'' and were presented with a plaque from Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce.

The highlight of 2003 was our trip to Belgium to compete in the European Championships in Alden Biesen on Saturday 13th September. fifty six of us comprising of band members, parents, spouses and friends arrived at the chalets in Molenheide. We had a most enjoyable time but best of all was the band winning 3rd place.

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Band which travelled to belgium 2003

The band was crowned Scottish Champion in 2004. Because of the successful competition season of 2004 the National Executive Councilof the Irish Pipe Band Association upgraded the band to grade 4A. This was a great achievement but it would mean lots of hard work and dedication to improvethe standard. The hard work paid off as we took 2nd place in the European Championships in our grade.

Letterkenny Pipe Band is renowned in the competition scene for its smart turnout, appearance and marching. It is a rare occasion when we dont win the prize for marching and deportment and it was a great achievement to take this prize in our grade at the World Championships in 2004 and 2005. We continued competing in 2006 even though we had lost members due to going away to University and other commitments. 2007 has been a rebuilding year and we are back up in numbers again.

In recent months we have participated in the Flight of the Earls celebrations, meeting the Jeannie Johnston, leading the Earls through Letterkenny, and bringing them into Rathmullen as they prepared to leave the shores of Ireland. We also led the Special Olympic Team to Letterkenny town square on their return from the World Olympics in China.

Our junior drummajors David Gordan, Gemma Mc Kinney, Mathew Mc Kinney and Sharon Martin have achieved good results throughout the years. Sharon's greatest achievement was in 2006 when she became All Ireland Junior Champion in her home town of Letterkenny and was also runner up in the World Championships.

In 2004 and 2006 Mervyn and his hard working committee took on a huge task of hosting the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships in the Town Park in Letterkenny. This was run in conjunction with the Irish Pipe Band Association.

Present Band

It is now time to prepare for next year and practices continue in Conwal Parish hall every Monday, Wednesday and Friday night. We have recently recuited eight new members and this augers well for the future of the band.