Tullylagan Pipe Band

Over 240 people celebrated  Tullylagan Pipe Band's Diamond Jubilee dinner dance held in the Greenvale Hotel on Friday 9th December 1983.

Wesley Huton carried out the duty of Compere and M.C. and ably co-ordinated the evening entertainment.

Guest speakers were Eddie McVeigh (President of N.I. Branch of the R.S.P.B.A.) and Jim Warnock (President of Tullylagan)

To open proceeding Matt Warnock and Tom Swaile cut the celebration cake and after the dinner there were renderings from McNeillstown Pipe Band, Ballybriest Drum Cops, Soloists Lennie Browne and David Campbell.

Matt Warnock & Tom Swaile founder Band Members Cut the Anniversary Cake

Tullylagan Pipe Band Drum Corps - Errol Hassin, David Brown and Geoffrey Hamilton

Wesley Hutton read out a special tribute to the Band and its past successes and also read telegrams of congratulations on the Bands 60th Anniversary.

A full nights programme of dancing continued until the wee small hours ending with Auld Lang Syne.

 Tullylagan Pipe Band Pipers - Jackie Hassin, Michael Nelson and Stephen Swaile

A PIPE DREAM will become  a reality  on Friday, December 9, 1983 at a dinner dance in the Greenvale Hotel, Cookstown.

The function, organised to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Tullylagan Pipe Band, will not only be a Scottish night with a difference, it will incorporate the launching of a new pipe chanter, the pioneering work on which was carried out by the band's founder member , the late, great Joseph Warnock.

The late Joseph Warnock - one of the distinguished names in Ulster 's proud tartan history - who was in the final stages of perfecting his prototype pipe chanter prior to his death in 1979, was instrumental in the formation of the Tullylagan Pipe Band in 1923.

The lads made their debut on August 12, 1925, and the members who stepped out in their Cameron Tartan on that date included:  J. Warnock,  T. Swaile,  A. Trainor, J. Trainor, H. Black, S. Taylor, S. Millar, J. Montgomery, H. Montgomery, A. Nobles and J. Black.

When the band was founded, MacGregor Greer, who was then the occupier of Tullylagan Manor, was abroad.  On his return this great friend and supporter asked the Band to change its tartan from Cameron to MacGregor, and the "Lagan" wears the same weave today.

It was also on MacGregor Greer's suggestion that his Irish Wolfhound would parade alongside the Drum Major as a mascot and Drum Major T. Artt had this unique and somewhat novel innovation for a civilian band as company for many years;

An interesting story lies behind the fact that in those early days of Tullylagan Pipe Band, the bass drummer always wore a leopard skin.  Colonel Clifford, who was a manager on the MacGregor Greer Estate had been in Africia on Safari, where he shot a leopard.  On his return he had the skin cured and presented to the band.

In the 1930's the Tullylagan Band reigned supreme in competition medium, winning the Ulster Championships, six times, thanks chieftly to the expert tuition of their Pipe Major Tommy Green.

Competitions were 'mothballed' during the Second World War, but following a censation of hostilities, they resumed their activities where they had left off, figuring prominently in the prize lists and making regular radio broadcasts.

Under the Leadership of Pipe Major Norman McCutcheon from Omagh, a man who has had a distinguished  Army piping career and who is still to the fore in the vibrant solo scene today, the Tullylagan Pipe Band had some tremendous results in the 1950's and early 60's.

Their achievements of this era  were pinnacled in 1962 when they lifted the World Grade 3 Championships at Balmoral in Belfast, becoming the first Irish band to attain this distinction.

Under the instruction of Ernie Shaw, the band's drum corps enjoyed  a fair measure of success during that period, and members who gained high placing in solo events of the time included well-known names such as Lowry Nelson, Wesley and Cecil Totten.

The 1962 Balmoral triumph was not only a joyous occassion for the band, but also for one family with strong connections with the outfit, and also with the present day Mid Ulster Section of the R.S.P.B.A.

It was during  the World Celebrations that the now Assistance Secretary of the Mid Ulster  Section, Miss Shona Hutchinson was born.  Her father , the late Val Hutchinson, was then  a leading official of the Band, and her mother, Mrs Flora MacDonald Hutchinson, is the leading lady in Mid Ulster piping and drumming administrations today, being the section secretary.

The year 1963 witnessed the emergence of the Tullylagan Juniors under Pipe Major James Warnock, a son of the late Joseph Warnock.

A leading reed maker in the area, Jim Warnock is the man who is responsible for the completion of his father's work on the new chanter.

The band's youthful complement was taught once again by Norma McCutcheon, while the percussion section was under the instruction of Ernie Shaw, who is now the current leading tip of Ballybriest.

The Juniors made their first public appearance in July 1963, and it was evident that the youngsters were going to follow in the footsteps of their senior counterparts, who were now  a top grade band.

They made their contest debut in June 1964 at Bangor, and the following year the late Joe Warnock had taken over in the twilight of a brilliant tartan career as instructor.

He certainly accelerated the improvement of the boys' performance and also about this time, another of his sons, the late Andrew Warnock was the Drum Sergent.

The Late Andy Warnock, of course, went onto become a World famous pipe maker, his name synonymous with the popular Pipe Chanter.

The Juniors became All Ireland Grade 4 Champions in 1965, and subsequently elevated to Grade 3.  Following their 1966 campaign they were upgraded  to the 'Second Division'.

During the Winter of 1966, the fambuoyant Drum Instructor John Rea arrived, and in their  first foray in Grade 2 competition in Dundalk in 1967 the band took top honours over many firmly established outfits.

By this time, Hugh Scott, formely a piper in the Senior Band - which had since disintegrated - had taken over as Pipe Major.  With invaluable help from the late Joe Warnock and John Rea, Hugh Scott took the young band to the verge of greatness.

In 1968, 'The Lagan' lads were virtually unbeatable.  They won the All-Ireland and also become Champion of Champions.  And John Rea's drummers were out on their own that year winning the All Ireland Junior Solo Champion, Robert Scott, Willie Anderson and the late Kenny Wilson.

The Band was elevated to Grade 1 in 1969 and although figuring regularly in the places, never had a first prize.

It was around this time that John Rea parted company with the Mid Ulster outfit, to take over the drum corps of East Belfast.  During the next two years the band made no competition appearances.

Tullylagan Pipe Band, however, did return to the contest  arena in 1973 under a son of soil, Pipe Major William Warnock, a son of Mr Jim Warnock.

Playing in Grade 3 and being tutored by the great Harry McAleer of RAMS fame and now with the Strathclyde Police, they were an immediate success and became Ulster Champions and Champion of Champions.

This success continued for the next 3 years under William Warnock, Ian Downey and Robert Scott, and in 1975 purchased a new uniform of the day dress type.  That season they finished  runners-up in the 'Ulster'  with the Drum Corps becoming Grade 3 All Ireland Champions.

The band was elevated the following year to Grade 2 after winning  the Ulster title again and sixth place at the World event at Hawick.

But the best performance ever by the 'Lagan' was still to come  - in 1978 at a wet and windy Lanark, when the lads took 6th place in Grade 2.

Tragedy struck the Band and one family synonymous with it in the next two years. In March 1979, the father of Tullylagan Pipe Band - Joe Warnock - died; in September , 1980, Pipe Major William Warnock tragically died as the result of an accident at home, and a month later the well-known Andrew Warnock of Pipers' Cave also passed away.

A new Pipe Major was appointed, the popular Solo Player, David Chesney, and already has achieved one of his ambitions by bringing the band back into the contest arena, with  creditable performances during the season which has ended.  Geoffrey Hamilton has also made a welcome return to the drum corps.

Things looking promising for an outfit which, like most others, had its up and down, with a young and enthusiatic pipe major at the helm.

One thing is incredible when one assess the life and times of this famous band, and that is after 60 years, one of its founder members is still alive and well.

He is the former bass drummer Tom Swaile, whose interest add passion for the wearers  of the MacGregor Tartan hasn't wanned one little bit.  And his nephew, Stephen Swaile is perpetuating that interest as the Band's Pipe Sergent.

For the Band's gala occassion on December 9, a superb tartan cabaret spot has been arranged.  Artists included the McNeillstown Pipe Band, the drum corps of Ballybriest Pipe Band (1982 World Champions), leading Solo pipers and Highland Dancers.

Tullylagan Pipe Band played on a new set of Chanters, which were jointly manufactured by Jim Warnock and Alan McClintock, the instrument is made from glass-filled synthetic material similar to that used in the manfacturing of the clarinet.  Injection moulded, the Chanter is said to give more resonance to that of other models.  An interesting experiment certainly worth hearing!

Tullylagan Pipe Band have just completed  one of the most successful seasons in their long and distinguished  history.

Competing in Grade 3 of the N.I. Pipe Band Association Championships, under the direction of Pipe Major David Chesney, they swept all before them wining the All-Ireland title and being crowned Champion of Champions.  The "Lagan" also went to Scotland for the World Championships in Hamilton two week ago but could only manage a 5th place.  If the pipers were disappointed with the judging in Scotland then Davy Brown's drum corps has some cause for celebration.  With the Ulster title under their belts the drum corps put a masterly display to clinch the World Title.

The "Lagan" will be celebrating their brilliant season at their annual dinner dance and Scottish Night in the Greenvale Hotel. Topping the bill on that occassion will be the current Grade 2 World Champions, Graham Memorial, with Pipe Major Richard Parkes of Field Marshall Montgomery and local band Augharan in Support.

Tullylagan Pipe Band who have just completed a very successful season in Grade Three of Northern Ireland Pipe Band Association Championships.  They are the Champions of Champions, All Ireland Champions, World Drum Corps, Champions and Ulster Drum Corps, Champions.

Back Row:  Pipe Major: D. Chesney, N Hyndes, D. Trainor, D. Black, D. Shannon, Pipe Sergent: S. Swaile, G. McIlvogue, E. Hassin, Drum Sergent: D Brown

Front Row: G. Ritchie, G. Hamilton, A. Mcfarland, J. McFetridge, J. Warnock, President: J. Hassin, M. Nelson, A. Nelson, G. Scullion

Pipe Major:  David Chesney - All Ireland Winners 1983

Front Row:  David Chesney (PM), Jackie Hassin, Austin Nelson, Stephen Swaile

Middle Row: Gary Scullion   Back Row:  David Brown

Front Row:  Pipe Major:  David Chesney, Jackie Hassin, Gary McElvogue

Back Row:  Austin Nelson