Tullylagan Pipe Band or as they are affectionately called by their supporters "The Lagan" was formed in 1923. They first took to the road in 1925 as a full band and consisted of eight pipers and two tennor drummers a bass drummer and four side drummers. The band originally used a Cameron Tartan but this was changed at the insistence of the then owner of Tullylagan Estate, MacGregor Greer to the present tartan which is the Ancient MacGregor.
During the 1930's the band reigned supreme, winning the Ulster Championships no less than 6 times under the expert tuition of Pipe Major Tom Green. After the 2nd World War the band once again took to the Competition Arena and made their presence very much felt in the pipe band world always figuring prominently amongst the prize winners and making frequent broadcasts. Then in 1962 the big day finally arrived when they won the Grade 3 World Championship and therby becoming the 1st Irish band to gain this distinction.
The following year due to increasing numbers, Tullylagan Juniors were formed under Pipe Major James Warnock. This kept up a close association between Tullylagan Pipe Band and the Warnock family. In fact Mr James Warnock, a world famous reedmaker, is currently the bands Honorary President.
The Juniors made their contest debut in June 1964 and by 1967, after two All Ireland successes, they became a well established Grade 2 Band.
The Senior Band, which had become a force to be reckoned with in the Top Grade decided to call it a day and so the Juniors were left to carry on the Tullylagan Tradition. And carry on they did all the way to Grade 1, but although regularly featuring in the prizes they never achieved first place.
After that the Band didn't contest, but they returned in fine style in 1973. During this year the band made its first trip to Scotland were they won the Grade 3 contest at Stair Park, Stranraer. During the next three years the band won the Ulster Championships and were crowned Champion of Champions with the Drum Corps lifting the All Ireland Title.
1978 was another great year in Scotland again as the Band travelled to Lanark and were placed 6th in Grade 2, this was their best performance at the time and but for a sudden change in weather they would have surely won.
In 1980 popular Solo Player David Chesney became Pipe Major and he took the Band to the verge of Greatness. The Band swept the Boards in nearly every contest they entered. But in 1985 the Band had one of its most memorable seasons. Pipe Major David Chesney currently the Band's Honorary Vice President, led 'The Lagan' to numerous competition wins including the All Ireland before being crowned Champion of Champions. At the World Championships they gained 5th place but the Drum Corps had cause for celebration. Under David Brown the drum corps produced a faultless display to lift the World Title in Grade 3.
They competed in Grade 2 the following year but things fell by the way side the following year and the band ceased again.
But in 1993 a few of the old 'Lagan' men decided to put the Band on its feet again. After some hard practising the band re-entered the contest arena lead by Pipe Major David Trainor and Drum Sergent Geoffrey Hamilton. The band which comprised of both young and not so young took Grade 4B by storm, the band was never out of the prize list all season, but the highlight of their first competitive season in 10 years came on one sunny afternoon in Newcastle. That was when they lifted the All Ireland Title.
In 1996 Tullylagan were upgraded to Grade 4A were once again they excelled. The band gained a third place at the All Ireland, seventh at the British, second at the Ulster Championships. The drum corps also performed well with 11 wins, 8 of which were consecutive. They are current All Ireland Champions, Europeans Champions and Champion of Champions.
For their exploits the band was then upgrade to Grade 3.