• Skip to navigation
  • Skip to content
Ulster University logo Return to Ulster University homepage
  • Global students – Resources for Ulster University International Students
  • Staff Links – Resources for Ulster University staff
  • Student Guide - The Student Guide to Ulster
  • Portal - for Ulster University
  • Find staff & Departments – search and browse Ulster’s staff directory
  • News – for Ulster University
  • Events – for Ulster University
  • Home - Ulster University website homepage
  • Study at Ulster University

    Study options

    • Study in Northern Ireland
    • Undergraduate study options
    • Postgraduate study options
    • Postgraduate Research/ PhD
    • Short courses and CPD
    • Part-time Undergraduate study options
    • Part-time study options
    • eLearning study at Ulster University

    Courses

    • Search for courses
    • A to Z 2023/24
    • A to Z 2022/23

    More information

    • Entrance requirements
    • Equivalence of qualifications
    • Your rights and obligations
    • International students
    • Further education students
    • Associate students
  • Campus Life at Ulster University

    Campus Life

    • Campuses
    • Accommodation - Residential Services
    • Sport Services
    • Students' Union UUSU
    • All Ulster University Events

    Support

    • Student Guide
    • Student Wellbeing
    • Digital Services
    • Library

    Careers and Opportunities

    • Employability and Careers
    • Go Global
    • Science Shop
    • Student Enterprise
  • Research & Impact

    Research & Impact

    • Our research
    • Collaboration and Innovation
    • Work with us
    • Our Research Topics
    • Our Research Teams

    PhD/Research degrees

    • Funded & Self Funded PhDs
    • Postgraduate Research Programmes
    • How to apply for PhD Research
    • Funding for Phd's
    • Contact the Doctoral College

    More information

    • PURE - research portal
    • REF 2021 (Research Excellence Framework)
    • Policies and Procedures
  • Business themed areas of Ulster University

    Work with Us

    • Recruit top talent
    • Business School student placements
    • Scholarships, sponsorships and corporate giving
    • Upskill courses by Sector

    Business Engagement

    • Build a course
    • Executive Education Courses
    • Apprenticeship Hub
    • Business leader Peer Mentoring
    • Postgraduate short courses

    Research Expertise

    • Work with us
    • Funding opportunities
    • Innovation Ulster Ltd
    • Case studies
    • Meet the team

    Further Information

    • Market information
    • Hire one of our venues
  • Graduates of Ulster University
  • Home - Go to homepage
  • Study Options at Ulster University
  • Find a course at Ulster University
  • Campus Life
  • Research & Impact at Ulster University
  • Business at Ulster University
  • Graduates - find out about Alumni and Supporters at Ulster University
  • Global Students – become part of our global community at Ulster University

  • Student Guide
  • Staff Links – Resources for Ulster University staff
  • Find staff & Departments – search and browse Ulster’s staff directory
  • Portal – customise and access your online services

  •   Twitter account for Ulster University
  •   Facebook account for Ulster University
  •   YouTube account for Ulster University
Ulster University
  • Search
  • Link for Ulster University
  • Link for News
  • Link for 2019
  • Link for July
4 July 2019

Piper honoured by Ulster University

Piper honoured by Ulster University

Pipe Major for The Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, Richard Parkes MBE is receiving the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) from Ulster University today for services to pipe band music nationally and internationally.

One of the leading pipe bands in the world and the most successful from Northern Ireland, under Richard’s leadership and 45 years after its inception, the band won its first major title at the Cowal Championships Scotland in 1990. Never looking back, they have gone on to win every major championship title available including 12 World Pipe Band Championships, 3 ‘Grand Slams’, 14 Champions of Champions titles, 25 All Ireland Championships and 60 RSPBA major championship titles. In total winning more major championships than any other pipe band in history.

Leading tirelessly from his appointment in 1981 Richard, an engineer by trade, was awarded an MBE in 2004 for his services to pipe band music in Northern Ireland.  His commitment is such that even after suffering a stroke in the same year he returned within the season to lead the band to victory at their last three championships, including the band’s fourth World Championship title. The great respect for Richard from within his own band and from his competitors is as much a part of the band’s hallmark as is its list of prizes.

Richard said:

“I am delighted to receive an honorary degree from Ulster University in recognition of my achievements in music. Leading the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe band has been a true privilege and it has allowed me to travel the world and represent Northern Ireland on a global platform. It is a great honour to be among this prominent group of honorary graduates and I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to all students graduating today.”


Share Article:
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn

Related Topics

Find out more about Faculty - Arts, Humanities and Social SciencesFind out more about AlumniFind out more about Graduation

Related news

  1. Wed 15 Jun 2022

    Ulster University receives more than £450,000 from UK Government for arts and humanities research

  2. Mon 14 Jun 2021

    Drama Lecturer collaborates with the Kabosh Theatre to develop play ‘The Shedding of the Skin’

  3. Fri 07 May 2021

    Ulster University academics receive prestigious Leonard E. Gibbs Award

Elsewhere on Ulster

Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment

Faculty of Life and Health Sciences

Ulster University Business School- Faculty

Courses & Research

  • Search for courses
  • Undergraduate courses at Ulster University
  • Postgraduate courses at Ulster University
  • Part-time courses at Ulster University
  • Short courses & CPD at Ulster University
  • Study online at Ulster University
  • Research & Impact
  • Doctoral College
  • PURE Research Portal

Campus locations

  • Belfast campus
  • Coleraine campus
  • Jordanstown campus
  • Magee campus
  • London and Birmingham
  • Qatar

Campus facilities

  • Residential Services / Accommodation
  • Sports Services - Memberships and Facilities
  • Library Services and resources supporting learning, teaching and research at the University

About The University

  • About Ulster University
  • Contact Details
  • Job opportunities
  • Key calendar dates
  • Faculties at Ulster University
  • News - Ulster University
  • Events - Ulster University

Other sites

  • Alumni & Supporters
  • Confucius Institute
  • Get advice from Employability and Careers
  • Finance Department
  • Flexible Education
  • Digital Services - computing, digital and media services
  • People & Culture
  • Student Wellbeing
  • Sustainability

Ulster University social

@StudyAtUlster Follow us on Twitter @UlsterUni Follow us on Twitter
/studyatulster /ulsteruniversity
/StudyAtUlster /UlsterUniversity
/ulsteruni
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statements
  • Copyright
  • Freedom of Information
  • Modern Slavery Statement

© Copyright Ulster University 2022.

Ulster University is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (NIC100166).