Who we are

A Global Reach

Based in Co. Down, the band is representative of Northern Ireland with membership spanning all four corners of the country. In recent years, FMM attracts members from around the globe and has welcome musicians from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Denmark, France, Scotland, England, and of course the north and south of Ireland. The band is exceptionally proud of both its Northern Irish and international status.

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band has become one of the most consistent and decorated competitive pipe bands in history. Though its philosophy has been competition based since its inception in 1945, the band also performs at concerts, festivals, radio and television appearances, and civil and social functions.

The band performs on at the 2016 British Pipe Band Championships in Paisley, Scotland

The Legacy of Pipe Major Dr. Richard Parkes MBE

In late 2024, the band marked the retirement of Pipe Major Dr. Richard Parkes MBE after an extraordinary 43 years at the helm. Widely regarded as the greatest pipe major in competitive pipe band history, Richard led the band to an unprecedented 13 World Pipe Band Championship titles.

His influence on the piping and pipe band community in Northern Ireland and across the world is indelible, and his legacy continues as he adjudicates and teaches at events globally. Read more about Richard’s legendary tenure as Pipe Major of Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band on pipesdrums.com.

Founded in 1945

The band was founded in 1945 in the townland of Drumalig, a few miles from Carryduff on the outskirts of Belfast. A group of farmer’s sons had decided to form a band as a leisure pursuit in the wake of World War II, and they proposed to call their formation after one of the great heroes of the war, Bernard Law Montgomery. The youths wrote Field Marshal Montgomery to ask for permission to use his name. Not only was permission granted, but their hero even sent a ten shilling note as a personal contribution to the band’s funds.

Competitive Success

Under the leadership of current Pipe Major Matthew Wilson and former Pipe Major Dr. Richard Parkes MBE, the band has won every major championship title available, including:

• 13 World Pipe Band Championships

• 29 All Ireland Championships

• 19 Scottish Championships

• 13 European Championships

• 12 Cowal Championships

• 12 British Championships

• 5 UK Championships

• 15 Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) Grade 1 Champions of Champions titles

• 3 RSPBA ‘Grand Slam’ titles

  (Updated January 2026)

TG 4 Gradam Ceoil 2018 Special Award

Field Marshal Montgomery were thrilled to be recognised at the 2018 Gradam Ceoil Awards. The band received the 2018 Special Award for bringing Irish traditional music to audiences and peers around the world, and setting standards of excellence that others aspire to.

The Gradam Ceoil Awards are widely considered to be the Oscars of Irish music. The band had the special honour of opening the show live from Belfast’s Waterfront Centre.

Discography

The band has produced five highly successful albums to date:

• Début

• Live in Concert

• Unplugged

• RE:CHARGED

• IMPACT – Live at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall 201

• Our music is distributed to over 150 digital stores and streaming services worldwide, including major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, Amazon Music, Tidal, and YouTube Music.