Solo Highland Piping Competition 

The Solo Highland Piping Competition returns to Belfast TradFest for another thrilling evening of world-class piping, bringing together some of the finest competitive pipers from across Ireland in the intimate surroundings of The Deer’s Head. Featuring champions, rising stars and internationally recognised performers, this special event celebrates the precision, power and artistry of Highland piping at the very highest level. 

Among this year’s competitors are current Senior Ulster Champion Alastair Donaghy, Gordon Duncan Memorial winner James Stone, multiple Northern Ireland Piper of the Year Kris Coyle, rising soloist Reece Doherty, acclaimed performer Scott Wallace and accomplished piper Sean Moloney. Together, they represent an extraordinary breadth of talent and achievement within contemporary piping. 

Audiences can expect a captivating evening of Piobaireachd, March, Strathspey and Reel, and Hornpipe and Jig performances, showcasing both technical brilliance and deep musical expression. Several competitors have represented Ireland internationally at prestigious events including the MacCrimmon Trophy at Festival Interceltique de Lorient, while others have achieved major success with leading Grade One pipe bands including Field Marshal Montgomery and St Laurence O’Toole. 

With fierce competition, incredible musicianship and a fantastic atmosphere guaranteed, this promises to be one of the standout piping events of Belfast TradFest 2026. 

Alastair Donaghy has had a successful piping career both in Northern Ireland and across the water. He is the current Senior Ulster Champion and has also won the Piobaireachd, March Strathspey and Reel and the Hornpipe and Jig competition at the Ulster Solos. He won the prestigious Gordon Duncan Memorial competition in 2023. Alistair won this competition last year and a place to represent Ireland in the MacCrimmon Trophy at the Interceltique Festival, Lorient, France where he made the prize list in Scottish and Piobaireachd sections of the competition. He has been a member of Field marshal Montgomery Pipe Band since 2016 where he has won many major championships including the World Championships 3 times. 

Sean Moloney is originally from Co. Limerick and has lived in Co. Tyrone since 2015. He has a background in traditional Irish music but now concentrates his efforts on piping. In recent years he has played for Closkelt and St. Mary’s, Derrytrasna pipe bands. He has played both pipes and drums in Grade 1 competition. 

James Stone is from Waterford City, Ireland, and is a Primary School Teacher. He began learning the pipes with tuition from his Father, John at age 7. James then had further tuition from the late Stephen Power and is now is tutored by Ronan Maguire. He has won All Ireland Titles at juvenile and adult grades including the Senior ‘A’ grade title in 2025. James also won the Gordon Duncan Memorial contest in Scotland in 2025. He also won the Irish Piobaireachd Society Competition Former Winners as well as the Northern Ireland piper of the year Piobreachd were he also won the hornpipe and jig competition. He credits his older brother, David as the biggest influence on his piping. James takes inspiration from Gordon Duncan, Willie Mac Callum, Terry Tully and Angus MacColl. When not practicing, James enjoys playing the uilleann pipes as well as hurling for his local club, De La Salle.  James won the St Patrick's version of this competition and will represent Ireland in the MacCrimmon Trophy at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in August. 

Kris Coyle from Carrickfergus has enjoyed a successful piping career to date with many notable achievements including 4 x Northern Ireland Piper of the Year, 2 x Ulster Solo Champion, 5 x Ulster Solo Champion Hornpipe and Jig, 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 S&R Argyllshire Gathering 2022. Kris is currently a 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. 

Scott Wallace is a multi-award-winning bagpiper who has a successful solo piping career having won all the major senior titles in Ireland and has been a regular in prize lists in Scotland. He has played as a member of both world championship winning pipe bands, Field Marshal Montgomery & St Laurence O’Toole. Over a 13-year stretch he has won every major title multiple times including 6 world titles.