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Seven Towers Pipe Band invites Ballymena to celebrate 100 years of music

Writer: Love Ballymena
Love Ballymena
2 hours ago
2 min read
Seven Towers Pipe Band pictured outside the Congregational Church in Clonavon Terrace in 1927 following its formation in 1926.

Seven Towers Pipe Band pictured outside the Congregational Church in Clonavon Terrace in 1927 following its formation in 1926.


Tuesday 20 October 2026


One hundred years after its beginnings in Harryville, Seven Towers Pipe Band is inviting former members, familiar faces and new audiences to share a special evening of music in Ballymena.


The band’s Centenary Concert will bring McNeillstown Pipe Band and Pure Blarney & Friends to The Braid Arts Theatre on Thursday 19 November, celebrating a century of music, tradition and community.


Whether you have a connection to Seven Towers or simply enjoy pipe bands and traditional music, the evening offers a chance to be part of a milestone in the town’s musical history.




From Harryville to a hundred years of music


Members of the Seven Towers Pipe Band who, in 1982, were invited to represent N. Ireland at the annual 'International Folk Festival' in Lorient, France.

Members of the Seven Towers Pipe Band who, in 1982, were invited to represent N. Ireland at the annual 'International Folk Festival' in Lorient, France.

Seven Towers Pipe Band pictured here with some of the trophies won during the 1987 competition season. One of the "highlights" of the year was when the band took first place at the County Antrim Championships at Ahoghill. The above photograph taken is the most recent and was taken in December 1987 by Roy McKeown of the former Greenvale Studio and commissioned by Mr. Peter Reynolds, (then Ballymena Tower Centre Manager) who holds the position of Vice-President of Seven Towers Pipe Band. Back Row (L-R) J. Torrington, J. Murray, J. Brown, J. McGuckian, A. Atkinson, S. Elliot, M. Cathcart, J. Riddles. Front Row (L-R) R. Todd (Pipe Major), D. Boyd, D. Holden, S. Brown, P. Nicholl, N. Marcus, N. Brown, C. Todd, S. Adamson (Pipe Sergeant).

Seven Towers Pipe Band pictured here with some of the trophies won during the 1987 competition season. One of the "highlights" of the year was when the band took first place at the County Antrim Championships at Ahoghill.

The above photograph taken is the most recent and was taken in December 1987 by Roy McKeown of the former Greenvale Studio and commissioned by Mr. Peter Reynolds, (then Ballymena Tower Centre Manager) who holds the position of Vice-President of Seven Towers Pipe Band.

Back Row (L-R) J. Torrington, J. Murray, J. Brown, J. McGuckian, A. Atkinson, S. Elliot, M. Cathcart, J. Riddles. Front Row (L-R) R. Todd (Pipe Major), D. Boyd, D. Holden, S. Brown, P. Nicholl, N. Marcus, N. Brown, C. Todd, S. Adamson (Pipe Sergeant).


Formed in April 1926 in the Harryville area of Ballymena, Seven Towers went on to achieve competitive success both at home and in Scotland.


Although the band has been absent from the competition arena in recent years, former members felt its centenary deserved to be marked with a fitting celebration.



Their efforts have brought together a programme that honours the band’s past while giving audiences an evening of live music to enjoy.


Neighbours and friends take to the stage


Pure Blarney & Friends traditional Irish Scottish folk band

Pure Blarney & Friends!


Joining the celebration will be neighbouring McNeillstown Pipe Band, which organisers describe as current Ulster champions and the 2026 Champion of Champions.


Pure Blarney & Friends will also perform, adding their blend of traditional Irish and Scottish music to the night.


Together, the guests will help mark an anniversary that offers an opportunity to reconnect, remember and share the music at the heart of the occasion.



Join the centenary celebration


McNeillstown Pipe Band playing on town street

McNeillstown Pipe Band


• Venue: The Braid Arts Theatre, Bridge Street, Ballymena


• Date: Thursday 19 November 2026


• Time: 8pm to 10.30pm


• Tickets: £16.50


• Booking: Available from The Braid Box Office or online


• Box office telephone: 028 256 35077



Seven Towers Pipe Band 100th Anniversary Concert poster for The Braid, Ballymena

From those who remember the band’s competition days to anyone discovering its story for the first time, the invitation is to come along and help celebrate a hundred years of Seven Towers.



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