RDMA Pipes & Drums Regimental Dress Royal irish

The Regimental Drum Major Association expresses its gratitude to Gerry McNeilly of the Royal Irish Rangers whose knowledge and expertise made this manual as accurate as possible.

Photo courtesy of Gerry McNeilly of the Royal Irish Rangers

Overview

The Drum Major, Pipe Major, Bugle Major are appointed positions. While they may be recognized within their regiment as being a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer ("SNCO"), they actually hold their non-appointed rank. Pipe Majors have two elevated posts potentially available to them: a position at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and the post of The Queen's Piper. Pipe Majors may further advance by taking the Queen's Commission and become the Director of Army Bagpipe Music. The Director may advance to the rank of Major.

The Drum Major will generally wear items consistent with the drummers, the Pipe Major will wear items consistent with the pipers, and the Bugle Major will wear items consistent with the bugles.

All Items should be clean, tidy, and in good working order.

Some regiments may vary slightly from the descriptions provided

Royal Irish Regiment Pipes and Drums on Parade

Photo courtesy of Gerry McNeilly of the Royal Irish Rangers

Caubeen

Drum Major:

Pipe Major: Drummers:

Pipers:

Piper Green

Worn level at eyebrows. Cloth top pulled over right side of head Cap Badge worn above left eye
Busby Bugle Major: Buglers:	Busby (Black) Busby (Black)
Worn level at eyebrows. Cap Badge worn centered just above brim
Hackles/Feathers Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	6" Green Hackle 6" Green Hackle 10" Green Hackle 6" Green Hackle 6" Green Hackle 7" Green Hackle
Royal Irish Regiment wears the green hackle Attached securely to headgear. NOTE: Hackles are generally awarded to regiments for battle honours or a special reason. Serious consideration and research should be given prior to being worn by a civilian band.
Headgear Badges Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Special Regimental Pattern Special Regimental Pattern Standard Regimental Pattern Special Regimental Pattern Special Regimental Pattern Standard Regimental Pattern
Attached securely to headgear. The Royal Irish Regiment Pipers and Drummers wears a special large (3") cap badge Clean and polished.
No.1 Tunic/Jacket Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	No. 1 Dress Jacket (Piper Green) Piper Green Tunic with black facings and silver braid No. 1 Dress Jacket (Piper Green) No. 1 Dress Jacket (Piper Green) Piper Green Tunic with black facings No. 1 Dress Jacket (Piper Green)
Front of military tunics to be level with lower edge of waist belt. All buttons present, design properly aligned, and firmly attached. Piper's Tunic has seven front buttons, equally spaced. Drummer's and Bugler's jacket has five front buttons, equally spaced. Insignia, if worn, firmly attached with no loose threads. No creases evident.
Tropical Wear Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Tropical Jacket (White) Tropical Cutaway Tunic (White) Tropical Jacket (White) Tropical Jacket (White) Tropical Cutaway Tunic (White) Tropical Jacket (White)	Royal Irish Regiment Tropical Dress Photo courtesy of Gerry McNeilly of the Royal Irish Rangers
Front of military tunics to be level with lower edge of waist belt. All buttons present, design properly aligned, and firmly attached. Front button pattern: five equally spaced Insignia, if worn, firmly attached with no loose threads. No creases evident.
Collar Badges Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Inniskilling Castle Inniskilling Castle Inniskilling Castle Inniskilling Castle Inniskilling Castle Inniskilling Castle
Distance from front of collar set by Regiments dress regulations Otherwise, the badges are set in approximately 1" from the front of the collar
Rank Insignia Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drum Sergeant: Pipe Sergeant: Bugle Sergeant: Drum Corporal: Pipe Corporal: Bugle Corporal: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Apex of bottom chevron is 3" from the top of the cuff. Shamrock Wreathed Drum above chevrons midway between the elbow and shoulder. Apex of bottom chevron is 3" from the top of the cuff. Shamrock Wreathed Pipes above chevrons midway between the elbow and shoulder Apex of bottom chevron is 3" from the top of the cuff. Shamrock Wreathed Bugle above chevrons midway between the elbow and shoulder. Apex of top chevron is 3" from the top of the shoulder. Drum above chevrons Apex of top chevron is 3" from the top of the shoulder. Pipes above chevrons Apex of top chevron is 3" from the top of the shoulder. Bugle above chevrons Apex of top chevron is 3" from the top of the shoulder. Drum above chevrons Apex of top chevron is 3" from the top of the shoulder. Pipes above chevrons Apex of top chevron is 3" from the top of the shoulder. Bugle above chevrons Drum midway between elbow and shoulder Pipes midway between elbow and shoulder Bugle midway between elbow and shoulder
If the WO2 crown or WO1 crown and wreath is worn it is attached just above the chevron(s).
Dress Cords Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Silver Dress Cords Not worn Silver Dress Cords Silver Dress Cords Not worn Silver Dress Cords
Worn off right shoulder (under the epaulette) with the trailing end attached to uppermost jacket button (before buttoning the jacket outer flap). The leading end attached to a cotton loop sewn under the left shoulder epaulette near the outside of the shoulder. Worn with either No. 1 or Tropical Dress The Royal Irish Regiment wears silver dress cords The plait (braided cord) lies over the (non-braided) cords Dress cords are derived from plaited bugle cords. Plaiting was a means of reducing the length of standard issue cords.
Bugle Cords Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Not worn Not worn Not worn Not worn Not worn Piper Green Cords	Royal Irish Rangers Buglers and Bugle Major Photo courtesy of Gerry McNeilly of the Royal Irish Rangers
Worn slung over the left shoulder under the epaulette. Shortened from the regulation issue of eight feet by plaiting so that the top of the bugle is in line with the of the tunic. There is a three turn knot of the cord at the mouthpiece end and a four turn knot at the bell end of the bugle. There should be a four inch drop from the bottom of the knot and the crown of the tassel. Some regiments do not use plaiting.
Gloves Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Black Leather Not worn Black Leather Not worn Not worn Black Leather
Black leather, wrist length.
Cross Belt Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Not worn. Not worn. Not worn Not worn. Black Drum Sling with Silver Buckles Black Satchel Belt with Silver Buckles
Belts are leather or patent leather Badge of the Sphinx with the words EGYPT underneath is affixed to satchel Satchel is centered on the back between the shoulder blades Drum Slings are worn off the right shoulder Bugler cross belts are worn off the left shoulder with the buckle just below the epaulette Cross Belts and slings are worn under the epaulette Worn over waist belt or according to regimental custom. Clean and in good order with buckle polished.
Waist Belt Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Black Sword Belt Black Sword Belt Black Sword Belt Black Waist Belt Black Waist Belt Black Waist Belt
Belts are patent leather. Regimental Badge is centered on silver buckle Worn firm to body so as to allow only one finger to be inserted between the belt and body. Runners on belt to be pushed up hard to belt buckle. Should not cover buttons on rear of tunic. Worn level from front to back of body. Clean with buckle polished and centered at front of body.
Sword Belt Straps Straps to match colour and material of the sword belt Short strap and frog to be attached to sword belt on the left side Long strap to be attached to sword belt centered on the back Sword straps to be connected if not wearing sword. Clean and polished
Red Sash Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drum Sergeant: Pipe Sergeant: Bugle Sergeant:	Crimson Herringbone Silk Officer's Sash Crimson Herringbone Silk Officer's Sash Crimson Herringbone Silk Officer's Sash Scarlet Worsted Wool Sergeant Sash Scarlet Worsted Wool Sergeant Sash Scarlet Worsted Wool Sergeant Sash
Sashes are not an item that defines a Drum Major, Pipe Major, or Bugle Major. Rather, they define rank and distinguish one rank from another. Drum Major, Pipe Major, and Bugle Major are appointments. The appointment is separate and distinct from the Drum Major or Pipe Major's actual grade. The appointment to Drum Major, Pipe Major, or Bugle Major is the equivalent of a WO2. There are two WO1 posts available to Pipe Majors: the Army School of Bagpipe Music and The Queen's Piper. Officers, RSM, Band Master, Pipe Major, Bugle Major, and Drum Major wear the Officer's Crimson Silk Sash SNCO's, WO2, Staff Sergeants, and Sergeants in general wear the Scarlet Sergeant Sash The Royal Irish Regiment Drum Major, Pipe Major, Bugle Major, Drum Sergeant, Bugle Sergeant, and Pipe Sergeant all wear the sash off the right shoulder. Each type of sash has a different type of knot. The tassel should be behind the sword (Drum Major, Pipe Major, Bugle Major) Sashes are worn outside the waist belt
Drum Major's and Bugle Major’s Regimental Sash The facing cloth of the Regimental Sash is to be the same colour as the authorized regimental facings (e.g. regimental flag, emblazoned drums; the tunic's collar, cuffs, epaulette, etc.) The Regimental Sash is surmounted by a gold embroidered Crown and Royal Cipher, followed by the name of the regiment, the regimental badge, and battle honours. Two miniature drum sticks are affixed to the Regimental Sash as a symbol of the Drum Major's original appointment. The Drum Major wears the Regimental Sash regardless of actual military grade. Worn with Full Dress only; never in Shirt Sleeves, Tropical, etc. Worn over left shoulder (under epaulette) to right waist, over waist belt.
Piper's Regimental Banner
Pipe Major: Pipers:	Piper Green with Silver Fringe Piper Green with Silver Fringe
The facing cloth of the Regimental Banner is to be the same colour as the authorized regimental facings The Regimental Banner is surmounted by the Regiment's Badge centered on the banner and the Battalion Number in the top left corner. Displayed with No. 1 or Tropical Dress.
Long Cloak Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Not worn. Piper Green with Slate Grey lining. Not worn Not worn Piper Green with Slate Grey lining. Not worn
Secured around the neck by silver chain and a large Celtic brooch on the right shoulder. Worn with the No. 1 Dress Tunic No creases evident.
Short Cloak Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Not worn. Piper Green with Red Lining. Not worn Not worn Piper Green with Red Lining. Not worn
Buttoned to the left epaulette Worn over the left shoulder with Tropical Dress Red lining is synonymous of the Royal Irish Regiment No creases evident.
Tara Brooch Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Not worn Silver Irish Tara Brooch Not worn Not worn Silver Irish Tara Brooch Not worn	Tara Brooch Photo courtesy of Gerry McNeilly of the Royal Irish Rangers
Worn with the Long Cloak. Worn with design properly aligned on front of right shoulder, tightly securing cloak. Upper edge of brooch not to be above top of the shoulder level. Clean and polished.
Animal Skins Drummers:	Leopard Skin
The Bass and Tenor Drummers wears a full leopard skin. Be mindful of endangered species laws and secure necessary permits when transporting skins across borders.
Military Decorations Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Earned/awarded as appropriate Earned/awarded as appropriate Earned/awarded as appropriate Earned/awarded as appropriate Earned/awarded as appropriate Earned/awarded as appropriate
Above top button of tunic, level, and immediately to the left of center. Worn centered on the left chest on No. 1 Jackets Worn above Royal Cipher on Regimental Sash just below epaulette (Drum Major and Bugle Major) Medals worn with Full Dress are full size, mounted, and are to hang straight down Ribbons may be worn on No. 1 or No. 2 Dress only. Non-military medals and/or ribbons are not worn.
Kilt Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Not worn. Saffron Solid Colour Not worn Not worn Saffron Solid Colour Not worn
Inside and outside aprons securely fastened by buckle and resting just above the half way mark of the knee cap. Front apron to be centered at front of body. Hem to be even in height from front to rear and side to side. Clean, pressed with no creases evident.
Trousers Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	No. 1 Dress (Piper Green) Not worn. No. 1 Dress (Piper Green) No. 1 Dress (Piper Green) Not worn No. 1 Dress (Piper Green)
Clean and Pressed
Sporran Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Not worn Black Patent Leather Not worn Not worn Black Patent Leather Not worn
Black patent leather Royal Irish Regiment wears a badge of the Sphinx with the words EGYPT underneath Worn centrally over front apron of kilt Generally, the cantle is one hand's breadth below waist belt buckle. The sporran should square the area between the hips and the knees and hand at a natural arc from the hip. Sporran badge as prescribed by the regiment All parts clean, in good order, and neatly brushed.
Sporran Belt Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Not worn As prescribed by the Regiment Not worn Not worn As prescribed by the Regiment Not worn
Sporran belts are silver coloured chain attached to black leather strap ends Pointed end of strap (non-buckle end) generally points to right hip according to regimental custom. Belts should be clean and polished
Kilt Badges Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Not worn As prescribed by the Regiment Not worn Not worn As prescribed by the Regiment Not worn
Worn on the right hand side of kilt front apron, as prescribed by the regiment. Royal Irish Regiment wears three shamrocks along the right edge of the kilt. Each badge from an amalgamated Regiment [27th (Inniskilling), 83rd, and 87th]
Hose Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Black Socks Piper Green Hose Black Socks Black Socks Piper Green Hose Black Socks
Top of hose is worn level side to side and front to back. Top of hose is three fingers breadth below outside bone of knee. Seams vertically straight.
Flashes Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Not worn. Saffron Solid Colour Not worn Not worn Saffron Solid Colour Not worn
Both flashes to be worn of equal length on both leg The adjacent edges of the of the common two tab flashes should be touching (i.e. no gaps between the tabs) Flashes to be worn at outside of leg.
Shoes Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	MoD Pattern Brogues Brogues with Silver Buckles George Boots MoD Pattern Brogues Brogues with Silver Buckles George Boots
Clean and polished. Pipers wear with silver buckles
Mace/Parade Baton Drum Major: Bugle Major:	Mace Parade Baton
Sterling Silver crown, chain, and ferrule with malacca cane shaft. Regimental badge affixed to crown Chains to be clean, in good order, and securely attached Clean and polished
Sword Drum Major: Pipe Major: Bugle Major: Drummers: Pipers: Buglers:	Infantry Officer Pattern Infantry Officer Pattern Infantry Officer Pattern Not worn Not worn Not worn
Worn on left side Clip short strap to top ring Twist scabbard clockwise until tight against the belt, then hook onto sword belt with scabbard facing forward and hilt to rear. Attach long strap to bottom ring on scabbard If sword is still unstable: Wrap the long strap around the scabbard as well before attaching to the bottom scabbard ring - OR - Manufacture an extra slide and hook next to and behind the existing sword belt hook so that the sword is pulled back slightly. Clean and polished
Service Mourning Drum Major: Drummers:	Maces may be draped Drums muffled and Draped
Draping of the drums and Colours are typically reserved for funerals. However, performances other than a funeral, but related to the death of the Sovereign or a member of the Royal Family may also require draping Drum majors are permitted to have their maces draped with a black cloth (Household Guards excepted) The Drum shell is to be completely covered with a black cloth, but open ended top and bottom. There should be enough room on the top shell to permit playing Snares should be disengaged Drag ropes should be removed. top
The Royal Irish Rangers Pipes and Drums Photo courtesy of Gerry McNeilly of the Royal Irish Rangers