Downshire Guiding Star Flute Band

Downshire Guiding Star Flute Band Downshire Guiding Star Flute Band was formed in October of 1981 and since then has been parading the

Downshire Guiding Star Flute Band holds practices in Banbridge Orange Hall on Tuesdays nights (apart from the second tuesday in each month in which practice is on the wednesday night) from 8:00pm to 9:00pm. For more details on practice leave a comment on the wall or speak with one of the memebers

Another big day for the band tomorrow🤵🏼👰🏼The band would like to wish Davy and Jenny good luck as they prepare for their ...
17/09/2026

Another big day for the band tomorrow🤵🏼👰🏼

The band would like to wish Davy and Jenny good luck as they prepare for their wedding day on Friday.

Davy’s a dedicated band member, who probably knows nearly everyone in the band scene and talks sh**e to all and has managed to also talk Jenny into helping us with counting coins and shifting breakfasts on occasions🤣

The best wishes for the future go to Davy, Jenny and Willow from all at the band 💙

Some brilliant photographs of us leading the parade from the hall on Friday night thanks to On the March Images 👏👏🇬🇧
16/09/2026

Some brilliant photographs of us leading the parade from the hall on Friday night thanks to On the March Images 👏👏🇬🇧

As a band we strive to make our parade as enjoyable for the band members as it is for the public. We are grateful for ev...
15/09/2026

As a band we strive to make our parade as enjoyable for the band members as it is for the public.

We are grateful for every band that comes and the way they turn out, as it adds to the success of the parade. While we understand that friendly rivalries within the band scene will always exist, we would hope that the bands that take part are shown the respect they deserve. Booing bands isn’t productive to the band scene as a whole

We are under no illusions that going ‘under the cut’ adds a fantastic bit of atmosphere to our parade and we would hope that a few idiots don’t spoil this for the majority of spectators and bands in the future.

Thank you to the 73 visiting bands who helped make our parade the success it is. There was a vast variety of silver, flu...
14/09/2026

Thank you to the 73 visiting bands who helped make our parade the success it is. There was a vast variety of silver, flutes and accordion bands from all corners of Northern Ireland. We have a few new trips coming up next year. 🫡

The crowds on the street were up with the biggest we have ever had so we would like to thank the public for turning out in such numbers, we greatly appreciate it.👏

We will share pictures and videos of the parade as they come up during the week but if anyone has any they want to share with us let us know (especially if someone has drone footage of the town from above)

As for now we will have a debrief and see how we can make it even better next year for our 45th anniversary parade.

No Surrender 🇬🇧

13/09/2026

Best Accordion
1st Pride of the Birches
2nd Cranfield
3rd Legananny

Best Silver
1st Tullyvallen

Style & Appearance
1st Ballynahinch Protestant Boys
2nd Ballymacarrett Defenders
3rd Pride of Ballinran

Marching & Discipline
1st Ballymacarrett Defenders
2nd Clogher PB
3rd Portadown True Blues

Colour Party
1st Dunamoney
2nd Drumderg
3rd Kilcuney Volunteers

Junior Drum Major
1st Bessbrook True Blues
2nd RHD Downpatrick
3rd Kilcuney Volunteers

Senior Drum Major
1st Pride of Ballinran
2nd Portadown Defenders
3rd Ballymacarrett Defenders

Melody Bands

Bass Drum
1st Pride of Ballinran
2nd Mourne YD
3rd Shankill Road Defenders

Drum Corp
1st Pride of Ballinran
2nd Mourne YD
3rd Ballymacarrett Defenders

Melody Flute
1st Pride of Ballinran
2nd Ballymacarrett Defenders
3rd Mourne YD

Blood and Thunder Bands
Bass Drum
1st East Belfast PB
2nd Gertrude Star
3rd Bessbrook True Blues

Drum Corp
1st Gertrude Star
2nd Dunamoney
3rd Drumderg

Small B&T
1st North Down First Flute
2nd Pride of the Maine
3rd Pride of Ballymacash

Blood & Thunder
1st Gertrude Star
2nd Dunamoney
3rd East Belfast PB

Overall Band
1st Pride of Ballinran

11/09/2026

For those who aren't familiar with Banbridge, here is some of our favourite local businesses...

The Spectator Hub: Downshire Arms Hotel 🏨The perfect place for spectators to soak up the pre-parade atmosphere, grab a delicious meal, or enjoy a perfectly poured drink.

Right at the Action: The Old Tavern 🍻Situated right at the finish! Call in here to catch the final stretch.

A Short Stroll Away: The Royal British Legion 🎖️Just a 2-minute walk from the finishing point. Perfect for a quick, convenient drink.

The Ultimate Sweet Treat: Oggies Dessert Bar 🍦☕Got a sweet tooth? Head here for incredible ice cream, sweets, and hot coffee.

Grab & Go Fuel: Today's Local 🍫🥤Your go-to shop for quick snacks, chilled drinks, and any last-minute essentials.

11/09/2026

🔥The Downshire Disco🔥

We are throwing a post parade party, and the legendary DJ Crozier is taking over the decks! 🎧
💥From the iconic beats of Maniac 2000 straight through to The Sash, he’ll be spinning the absolute best anthems all night long. The dancefloor is guaranteed to be packed, the energy will be through the roof, and we have a fully licensed bar ready to keep the drinks flowing! 🍻🥂Whether you are there for the rave classics or the traditional favourites, this is the one night you do not want to miss.

📍Banbridge Orange

🪙£5 at the door

over 18s

🌤️ THE FORECAST IS IN… AND IT’S LOOKING GOOD! 🌤️Frank Mitchell has spoken!
11/09/2026

🌤️ THE FORECAST IS IN… AND IT’S LOOKING GOOD! 🌤️

Frank Mitchell has spoken!

✨ SPECIAL GUESTS ALERT! ✨Look who is coming to town! 🐭❤️ On Friday night, Mickey and Minnie will be joining us! The icon...
09/09/2026

✨ SPECIAL GUESTS ALERT! ✨
Look who is coming to town! 🐭❤️ On Friday night, Mickey and Minnie will be joining us! The iconic duo will be making their way around the town to spread some magic. Come along to say hello, grab some flags and sweets, and strike a pose for a photo! 📸🍬

We would like to thank Today's Local Banbridge for sponsoring the sweets. The shop will be open on Friday night for the duration of the parade and is conveniently located at the finishing point on old Kenlis Street.

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Banbridge

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