The Belfast TradFest Highland Piping Solo Competition will see a selection of Ireland’s top Pipers competing for a place in the renowned MacCrimmon Trophy Competition 2025 that takes place annually as part of the Interceltique Festival de Lorient. Recent winners of the MacCrimmon Trophy competition include Andrew Carlisle (Ballygowan) and Robert Watt (Maghera). Each competitor will perform a 6-8 minute Irish-inspired medley, showcasing their unique playing styles. Sit back, relax and take in some of the best Highland Piping to be heard across Ireland.

Competitors include:

Kris Coyle from Carrickfergus has enjoyed a successful piping career to date with many notable achievements including All Ireland Senior Champion x 1, 5 x Hornpipe and Jig at Northern Ireland Piper of the Year, 2 x Ulster Solo Champion, 5 x Ulster Solo Champion Hornpipe and Jig, All Ireland piobaireachd A x 6, Inveraray Games (B grade Piobaireachd) 2018, Inveraray Games Overall B grade Champion 2018, 4 x Loch Lomond Highland games Overall Champion, 3rd place B grade Strathspey & Reel Argyllshire Gathering 2022. Kris is also a former member of Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band.

Reece Doherty began piping under tuition by his late grandfather Billy Doherty. Reece is a member of grade one band St Laurence O'Toole, Dublin. On the solo piping circuit, Reece has won 3 consecutive All Ireland MSR titles at U18, C2 and is the current C1 champion. Also Reece made the final of the 2024 Pipe Idol competition at Piping Live festival, Glasgow.

Alastair Donaghy has had a very successful solo piping career. He has won the Senior Ulster MSR, Senior Ulster Hornpipe and Jig. Gordon Duncan Memorial comp, C grade MSR and Hornpipe and Jig at the Highland Society of London Competition. Alastair has been a member of the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band since 2016, and during that time he has won the World Championships 3 times, as well as a host of other major and All-Ireland championship prizes.

Alan Glenholmes began his piping journey with his local Pipe Band Cullybackey and tuition from George Boyd.  He was fundamental in helping Cullybackey win the Grade 2 World Championships in 2007 and the band's progression to Grade 1.  Alan then moved to St Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band, Dublin, in 2012.  In 2024 he represented Ireland in the MacCrimmon Trophy at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient.  Alan is the present Pipe Major of Irvine Memorial Pipe Band from County Fermanagh.

Born in County Antrim, Owen McGregor grew up surrounded by Highland piping. Owen first competed with Ulster Scots Agency Juvenile Pipe Band after being taught by his father Andy McGregor before joining Clogher & District Pipe Band. He has travelled across Europe performing at concerts, festivals, tattoos, notably the Interceltique Festival de Lorient in Brittany, France and the Spasskaya Military Tattoo in Moscow. Owen now studies at Edinburgh Napier University and competes in grade 2 with Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band.