The band was established in 1898, It was originally a flute band until 1918 when Jim & Dick Boden from Annsborough, two self taught pipers, introduced bagpipes and St Patrick's pipe band, Annsborough was born. That year instruments where purchased in which two sets of the original 1918 bagpipes still exist today. Jim & Dick Boden would take on the task of teaching the band, while Johnie McKay from Ballylough took on the roll of drumming instructor. The band purchased their first uniforms in 1922.

The band appeared regularly at local events and would take part in Feis Anna competitions winning several prizes. One of the more notable occasions was the band playing at the cutting of the sod ceremony for the foundation of the St Patrick statue at Saul, Co Down and would also play at the unveiling.

The Early days

The band remained together during the second world war and for many years afterwards taking part in local events and taking part in All-Ireland Fleadh Ceoil championships. This was a title which eluded the band for many years after finishing runners-up three times the band eventually won the title of All-Ireland Fleadh Ceoil champions in 1991.

In 1993 the band took a huge step and joined the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association. This enabled the band to take part in major championships across Northern Ireland and Scotland and they where not to be disappointed. The band was consistently in the top prizes and taking titles such as Ulster quartet champions, Co Down, North Down and Co Fermanagh champions. The band was crowned champions of champions for that year. Unfortunately due to circumstances the band was unable to compete in the following years but remained dedicated in developing the playing skills of young players.

1999 All-Ireland Pipe Band Champions

The band would rebuild its ranks and come back in 1999 with a bang. 1999 would prove to be a very successful year for Annsborough pipe band. Winning many titles including the All-Ireland championships and also getting runners-up at the British championships, the band was eventually crowned champions of champions and also drum corps champions of champions. There was further success for Drum Major Teresa McCartan who came 2nd in the European championships in 1999, a title that she would win in 2000. These results seen the band upgraded to grade 4A in 2000.

In the following years the band remained consistently in the top places in grade 4A, But It would be 2004 when they would do some real damage in the grade winning titles such as the Co Down, North Down and Ulster championships the band would then be crowned All-Ireland champions and then a few weeks later winning the European championships, it's first major championship title. The year wasn't finished there, Annsborough would then make the journey to Glasgow for the World pipe band championships. The band would dominate their qualifying section and would repeat their performance in the final ensuring that Annsborough would be called out as World champions of grade 4A.

2004 World Pipe Band Champions

The achievements of 2004 seen Annsborough being upgraded to grade 3B for the 2005 season. With a solid start to the season, the band would soon find their winning ways again by becoming Mid-Ulster, Co Down and North Down champions. The band would also win their third All-Ireland title on home soil at Newcastle. Annsborough would also retain their title of European champions in Banbridge with the bonus of the drum corps winning their first major championship.

Glasgow Green would then provide the setting of the bands greatest achievement, by once again winning the World championships and being one of the few bands to win back to back world titles after being upgraded, the bass & tenor section would also be on the top of the world after winning their respective section. With a consistent season behind the band, the end of the season would then see Annsborough crowned as Scottish champions of champions for the first time in the bands history.

Past members
Johnnie McKay, John Rea, Petsie Hawkins, John Dorman, John Tierney,
Paddy Burns, Davey Owens, Jack Mullen, Jimmy Forsythe, Teddy McCartan, Ronnie Harris, Mickey McKevitt, Paula Johnston, Anthony Mullen,
Sinead Crawley, Billy King, Barney McAlinden, Jimmy Gribben, Tony Smith, Kathleen Smith, Eddie McCarthy, Hugie Owens, Hugie Russell, Hugh Fisher, Patsy Forsthye, Peter McKenna, Jimmy Truesdale, John Foresythe(senior),
John Foresythe,Billy Fisher, Peter Kelly, Eddie Toner, Seamus McCartan,
Denis McCartan, Eddie Smith, Paddy McCabe, Dick McCabe, Harry McCabe, Patsy Gallagher, Gene Tierney, Francie McConville, Sammy Milligan,
Mick Hawkins, John Smith, Henry Smith, John McMullan, Gerry Mahon,
Paddy Croskery, Packy Croskery, James Croskery, Pat King, Jim King,
Micheal Croskery, Patrick Croskery, Gerry Ward, Brain King, Pat Braniff,
Francie Braniff, Tommy Rice, P.J King, Patrick Ferries, Willie Valley,
Patrick McCann, Mat Rodgers, Brendan Flynn, Dolan Croskery, Mary Quinn, Anthony Quinn, Joseph Morgan, Ann Kearney, Tommy Flannagan,
Jackie Mullen, Gerard Mullen, Billy Boyle, Davey Owens, Hugh Gerard Smith, Joseph Boyle, Dermot Morgan, Martina Burns, Mick McConnville,
Stephen Burns, David Burns, Harry McAvoy, Willie McCartan, Johnie Harbinson, Hillary McCormack, Ted Owens, Ronnie Harris, John Croskery, Jackie Hardy, Jimmy O Hagan, Tommy McKay, Mick McAlinden, Francis Toner, Gerry McKevitt, Mick McKevitt, Francis Murphy, Peter Hawkins, Paddy Hawkins, Dickey Green, Emanuel Croskery, Daniel Rice, Joseph Morgan, Martin Morgan, Barry Garland, Packy Boyd, John Brown, Sean Brown, Tony Brown, Sam Brown, Brian Rainey, Gerry Fitzsimmons, Brendan Rainey, Eddie Mullen, Declan Blainey, Tracey Burns, Marie Burns-Lynch, Sean Loughlin, Raymond Fitzpatrick, Rachel Corr, Eammon Cunningham, Teresa McCartan, Roison McCartan, Mary Croskery, Keith O'Malley, Marion Quinn, Elaine Doran

past pipe majors
Paddy Croskery, Eddie McCarthy, John McEvoy, John McMullan, Peter Kelly, Danny Keenan, Anthony Fitzpatrick, Willie King, Sean Roberts.

past drum sergeants & instructors
Raymond Fitzpatrick, Eddie Mullen, Jackie Hart, Johnie McKay, Jim Boden, Paddy McCabe.


guest players
Mickey Croskery, Gerry Mahon, John Fitzsimmons, Tommy McComb,
Bobby McComb, Ignatius McComb, Gerry McComb, Bobby McComb,
Danny Matthews, Denis Keenan, Joe Fitzpatrick, Fintan Fitzpatrick, Martin Fitzpatrick, Sean Gaffney, Damien Lavery, Mick Quinn, Mat Roberts, Peter McAllister, Sinead Doran, Anthony Cousins, Kevin Rogers