St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band announced today on their Facebook page (Saturday, March 5) that their former Pipe Major Terry Tully is retiring from the band and competing after almost 50 years.
He famously led the Dublin band to Grade 1 glory in the World Pipe Band Championships in 2010 and is also lauded for his piping compositions, as well as adapting traditional Irish tunes for the pipes.
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His son Alen succeeded him as pipe major in 2013 but Terry continued to compete until the 2019 World Pipe Band Championships, the last major before the pandemic hit.
In the band’s announcement on their website and Facebook page, Terry said: “The band, and pipe band scene, has given me so much. I would like to thank all those who played in the band during the time I was a member and pipe major, and all the bandsmen and women I met along the way on the field. The band’s supporters and my supporters in Ireland, Scotland and further afield also have my thanks, as do all those who have sent best wishes on my retirement. I wish Alen, Stephen [drum sergeant Stephen Creighton] and band members current and future all the best, and I will be there to cheer you along.”
Pipe Major Alen Tully said in the online announcement: “It’s been a privilege to have Dad play in the ranks and supporting me since his retirement as PM in 2013. His encouragement and help behind the scenes have been invaluable and for that I am truly grateful. Not many people get to win majors and a world’s title under their father, and for me to have him in the ranks winning majors with me leading the band were very special times.”
You can read the band’s full announcement here
