Pomeroy: ‘We want more young people to play the pipes’

Some members of the band performed outside a new visitor centre that is to serve as a shared community building, while other young musicians played Irish traditional music inside the building.

Guest at the event included First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly.

Sixteen-year-old twin brothers Jake and Charlie McAlister are members of the Matt Boyd memorial band and played the bag pipes to welcome guests.

“Me and my brother practice twice a week, it takes a lot of work, but when you hear the sound come from the pipes it’s worth it,” Charlie said.

Jake added: “When you play the pipes with a group there’s a real sense of enjoyment and teamwork, there’s nothing else like it.”