Pride of Ballinran

About Us

The Pride of Ballinran are a marching flute band from the small townland of Ballinran, around 2 miles outside Kilkeel on the foot of the Mourne Mountains. Classed as a melody flute band, as well as playing straight melody on Bb flutes, we also add parts and a Eb piccolo to achieve a more musical sound. We play an extremely varied programme of music including marches, jigs, classical pieces, movie themes and traditional orange tunes.

The band regularly takes part in competition parades throughout Northern Ireland as well as the traditional 'Loyal Order' parades such as the 'Battle of the Boyne' commemorations on July 12th. We also travel to Glasgow for the annual 'Orange Walk' on the 1st Saturday in July. We also take part in many concerts and indoor competitions such as the Flute Band League 'Own Choice' contest in February.

The membership of the band is made up from around the general Mourne area of Kilkeel, Annalong and the surrounding countryside, although we do have members living in Newcastle, Rathfriland and Ballynahinch. Currently we have over 50 members compromising of the young and not so young.

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Band History

The band was originally a 'blood and thunder' flute band formed in 1980 to accompany the local Branch of the Apprentice Boys of Derry on the Relief of Derry celebrations in August and the annual 'Closing of the Gates'or 'Lundy' parade in December, hence the origin of the band's famous crimson uniform.

After a short while the decision was made to change to a melody band and gradually gained much success in the many competition parades the band took part in. The band at this stage were playing the likes of William Love marches, 'Bond of Love' and 'Capital of Mourne' for instance as well as the more traditional 'Sash' and 'Derry's Walls'. Around this time the band released their first tape recording 'Step in Style'. The bands reputation grew thoughout Ulster in the 80s as well as further afield, with the band taking part in parades in Fife, Scotland and Morcambe in the north of England.

The 1990s saw one of the most sucessful periods in the bands history, a new uniform was purchased and a second tape recording entitled 'Triumphant' was released. Much of the bands success was now being matched at indoor competitons as well as outdoor, winning the N.I.B.A All Ireland Melody Flute Competition in 1993, 1995 and 1997. The band also recieved an invitation to take part in the annual 'Orange Walk' in Glasgow and have been doing so on a now annual basis, being judged Best Visiting Band on Parade in 1996,1999 ,2002 and 2004.

1997 saw the band purchase a more military style new uniform along with peak caps, while in 1999 we released our third recording' Millennium Beat' on CD. The band also began competing in the Flute Band League 'Own Choice' contest entering the Melody and Grage 4 sections, winning both in 2000, the Melody Section in 2003 and Grade 4 again in 2004. The band was also honoured to play at Windsor Park for the Rangers vs Linfield games which were staged in 2001, 2003, 2003 AND 2005.

2004 saw major changes in the band with a complete change in uniform, from the traditional purple to a Royal Marines style uniform with the Royal Military Police 'red caps' for head wear. The band also released a fourth CD recording entitled 'Royal Salute'. With a large and youthful (mostly) membership the band hopes it can carry on for many years to come.

All content is Š2004-2005 Pride of Ballinran Flute Band