Regional Champs 2010: Yes indeed The South African Irish have really done well this year in terms of the competition band. It was a narrow win, but we will take it. On 17 July 2010 we took honours in the 2010 regional champs finals at St. Benedicts. The results were in and we won over all for the day, as well as 2010 regional champs for the 2010 in both Pipe and Drum Corps. We also as usual took the best Drill, Dress and Discipline this shows our commitment to looking good.

So the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo draws near. Only 3 days till departure and all is still up in the air with regards Passports and Visas. I'm sure it will all be sorted before Saturday. I would like to thank all those people, you know who you are, for making the effort on the kit, the caps, the bags and other items such as passports etc etc etc.

Our forward party has managed to get almost local pricing for goods that side.. Thanks to Andy Dippenaar for this useful information. As we all gather on Saturday at OR Tambo airport, most are filled with excitement as well as anxiety.Faugh a Ballagh!

Pub in a Bucket Raffle

Its only 17 days until the wheels of the plane that will carry us off to the UK will leave the ground in Johannesburg and fly us, safely over Africa to our destination. We do however have the last bit of fund raising to get done so we are yet again doing another famous " Pub in a Bucket" raffle.

The bucket is worth as staggering bit more than usual, as it is filled with a serious amount alcohol to get any persons spirits up. The raffle will be drawn on Saturday 17 July 2010 at the St. Benedicts Gathering. (East Rand). So support a good cause, you never know, you might just never have to by alcohol again.

The Countdown has begun

The countdown is now on. We are officially going to the 2010 Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Infact it is another "special" Tattoo as celebating it's 60th year, it is the Royal Tattoo, or Jubilee year.

The Pipes and Drums of the South African Irish Regiment will no doubt be in for a great adventure, departing from South Africa on July 31 2010. Destination Edinburgh. The tickets are booked, the uniform is being issued (in some cases, re-issued), the passports are being printed and the practices have started.

The journey, to probably the most famous Military Tattoo, has already begun, with all the members learining the music of the massed pipes and drums who will enter the esplinade of the famous Edinburgh Castle through the narrow, yet very traditional drawbridge. It is quite a tight fit, marching roughly 12 Pipebands over all in unison. More on this event will follow.

I will update this Blog on a daily basis, giving an account of the month that will befilled with challanges as well as a experience of a lifetime.

Faugh a Ballagh - The Irish are on the move... again.