R.G. Hardie & Co was delighted to return as a primary sponsor for the 2015 Metro Cup Solo Piping Competition on Saturday, 21 February 2015 at the Ramada Plaza Newark Liberty International Airport. The annual event is organized by the EUSPBA Metro Branch.
The overall winner of the Amateur event was Robert Low, who was awarded a prize Peter Henderson Blackwood Pipe Chanter by R.G. Hardie & Co.
Special recognition was given to Pipe Major Ed McKenna, who was presented with the 2015 R.G. Hardie Services to Piping Award for his contributions as a player, Pipe Major, instructor and an inspiration to many over the past eight decades.
R.G. Hardie & Co offers our congratulations to all the Metro Cup prize winners.
About Ed McKenna
Recipient of the 2015 R.G. Hardie Services to Piping Award
Ed McKenna started piping in New York in 1943 with tuition from Jim Cramsie, the former Pipe Major of the Belfast Pipe Band. Ed played in the Monaghan Pipe Band under Pipe Major M. Heany before moving to the Gaelic League Pipe Band which was under the direction of his brother Pipe Major Pat McKenna.
In 1950 Ed moved to the Donegal Pipe Band under the direction of Pipe Major Greg O’Brien and then in 1956 he joined the United States Army and played with the 2nd Army Pipe Band while stationed at Fort Meade Maryland. After his time in the service Ed joined the top competition band at the time which was the Tyrone Pipe Band led by Pipe Major Tom McSwiggan.
During the 1960’s and 70’s Ed had instruction from John MacFayden and he played with Pipe Major George M. Bell’s Kenmure Pipe Band before taking the over as Pipe Major of the Tyrone Pipe Band.
From 1975 to 1998 Ed played with and was Pipe Major of the Inis Fada Gaelic Pipe Band which was one of the top grade 2 bands at the time.
Ed is still very active as the instructor of the New York City Police Pipe & Drums. Ed McKenna Receives 2015 R.G. Hardie Service to Piping Award at Metro Cup 2015
