Golden award as local band celebrates 50 years on the march

AS local band Omagh Protestant Boys celebrate their 50th anniversary, they have been awarded one of the most coveted prizes for a Melody Flute Band at the July 12 celebrations in Belfast.

The award for 'Best Melody Flute Band on Parade 12th July 2025' was presented to Kenny Porter, the chairman of Omagh Protestant Boys' Flute Band, by James Lawlor, Deputy County Grand Lecturer, at the Belfast County Gala Award Dinner held in the Stormont Hotel on Friday, October 24.

The award was sponsored by Crusaders Football Club and representing the club was Jim Boland, Deputy District Master of Belfast Districts No 7 and 8.

The Gala Dinner which was hosted by the Belfast County Grand Orange Lodge was attended by Lord Mayor Tracey Kelly, the County Grand Master and other Belfast County officers, district masters and officers, past worshipful masters and officers, the Rev Mervyn Gibson, Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland as well as a large contingent of members of the Orange Order and marching bands from across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland

‘Great honour’

Mr Porter, the Bandmaster and chairman of Omagh Protestant Boys for the past 50 years, spoke of what it means to win this prestigious award.

"Although we were informed that we had been shortlisted as a finalist in this category, we were up against some of the best melody flute bands, all with such incredible musical talent," he said.

"Not only are some of the top bands from Northern Ireland on parade in Belfast but there are also fantastic bands who travel from Scotland to take part as well.

"Because the parade in Belfast is such a long one I have always told our members that it is not about winning on the day, it’s the taking part that counts but to have won this category is just a great way to kickstart celebrations for our 50th anniversary year.

"We genuinely did not believe we would win given the strength of competition on the day plus we were parading in record temperatures so when it was confirmed I could barely hear a thing due to the rapturous applause and cheers from everyone in attendance and we even managed to get a standing ovation!

"This award is testament to the dedication and commitment of our members who give up their valuable time to attend practices week in and week out in order to keep the standard as high as it is.

"For this award to have been won by a band outside Belfast and to the only melody band playing F flutes, firsts, seconds and Piccolo in the entire Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area is a great honour and I thank our members sincerely, for making it possible.

50th celebrations

“We are immensely grateful to have enjoyed tremendous support from our many followers over the last 50 years and in order to say a proper thank you, we are holding a Musical Extravaganza Concert in the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh on Friday, March 6, 2026, showcasing our musical journey from 1976.

"We are delighted to have two of the province’s award-winning bands join us on stage ie Dunloy Accordion who celebrate their 70th anniversary and Ballyduff Silver Band.

"On the night there will also be a special appearance by the OPB 'Past and Present Massed Band’

"Tickets are already on sale from the Strule Arts Centre and as this will be a sell-out concert, early booking is advisable in order to avoid disappointment."

Not known to rest on their laurels, Omagh Protestant Boys' Flute Band is recognised as one of the best Melody Flute Bands from Ulster, having travelled to perform extensively across the UK as well as representing the Ulster Scots marching band fraternity at the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Savannah, Georgia, USA in 2019.

As part of their 50th anniversary celebrations they return to the Battlefields of Flanders and the Somme for a fourth time in July 2026, on a five-day pilgrimage with a group of 60 members and their families which will include the band playing at the Ulster Tower, Thiepval Memorial and participating in the Act of Remembrance at the Menin Gate, Ypres, as well as visiting many of the Commonwealth War Graves such as Tyne Cot and Lone Tree Cemetery etc.

Annual parade

Omagh Protestant Boys are pulling out all the stops to ensure that their 50th anniversary parade scheduled to be held on Friday, June 19, 2026, is one to remember.

Mr Porter added: “With the reformation of our ‘Auld Boys’ band, spectators can expect to see an OPB Past and Present Members Massed Band with upwards of 100 members on parade in Omagh on the night.

"If our 40th anniversary parade is anything to go by, we should see thousands of spectators thronging the streets of Omagh - weather permitting of course!”

Mr Porter said there are many more events planned which will be publicised in due course.