The Belfast Tattoo

Welcome to the SSE Arena and the Belfast Tattoo 2016.

BAGPIPE MUSIC

Wasn't that a magnificent ensemble?

Ladies and gentlemen, will you welcome the band, bugles,

pipes and drums of the Royal Irish Regiment!

APPLAUSE

MUSIC: Run by Snow Patrol

MUSIC: The Last Of The Mohicans by Trevor Jones

They were just magnificent, absolutely wonderful -

the Royal Irish Regiment.

And we've lots of other wonderful music for you to hear this evening.

Next though, welcome the Belfast Tattoo 2016

Highland Dance Team.

MUSIC: Scotland The Brave

That was just a perfect display from our hugely talented

and award-winning Highland dancers.

Now, next this evening,

musicians from across two battalions of guards,

all infantrymen with operational experience,

who also play a key role in ceremonial duties

such as Trooping the Colour

and the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

Ladies and gentlemen...

MUSIC: No Man's Land by Eric Bogle

Quick march!

PIPE BAND MUSIC

APPLAUSE

Quick march!

Just brilliant.

Now, when we first began the Tattoo back in 2013,

it was a daunting challenge for our performers to take on.

But take it on they did,

which is why we are delighted to welcome back to this year's line-up,

from County Antrim...

Quick march.

MUSIC: Colonel Bogey March by FJ Ricketts

The Dunloy and Vow Accordion Bands. Wonderful.

Our next performers are back by popular demand

after they entertained audiences in 2014 with their skill and precision.

Welcome...

BAGPIPE MUSIC

That was wonderful, they just didn't put a foot wrong.

A magnificent display.

Now, from the Netherlands, dressed in the uniforms

of the 1888 Engineer Corps, will you welcome...

MARCHING BAND MUSIC

MUSIC: Colonel Bogey March by FJ Ricketts

Spectacular music and marching from the Dutch Engineers.

Our next band have played for presidents of Ireland

and the United States,

as well as three of the kings and queens of our royal family.

Will you welcome...

MUSIC: It's A Long Way To Tipperary by Jack Judge and Harry Williams

In this centenary year, we turn our thoughts to the men and boys

who faced the enemy over the 141 days of the Somme Offensive.

We remember their courage, their endurance, their heroism,

and we especially remember the many who made the ultimate sacrifice.

WHISTLE BLOWS

MACHINE GUN FIRE AND BOMBS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place, and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead; short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved,

and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

# No more bleeding, no more fight

# No prayers pleading through the night

# Just divine embrace, eternal light

# In the Mansions of the Lord. #

# Lay me down in the cold cold ground

# Where before many more have gone

# Once a year, say a prayer for me

# Close your eyes and remember me. #

# Where no mothers cry and no children weep

# We will stand and guard though the angels sleep

# All through the ages safely keep

# The Mansions of the Lord. #

APPLAUSE

For the first time in Northern Ireland...

AIR-RAID SIREN

MUSIC: Colonel Bogey March by FJ Ricketts

MUSIC: The Wild Rover

The Band of Liberation.

They tour all across Europe and we were delighted

to hear them here this evening.

Now, next this evening,

they wowed TV audiences on Britain's Got Talent.

Since then they have been touring locally, across Europe

and into the Middle East.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's...

TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC

Fabulous. 47 dancers - you know, the youngest was just eight,

and they're absolutely brilliant.

Now, the Pride of Ballinran Flute Band begin

by taking us all to the movies.

MUSIC: 20th Century Fox Fanfare by Alfred Newman

MUSIC: Star Wars by John Williams

MUSIC: Titanic by James Horner

And finally this evening, led by the Royal Irish Regiment,

let's begin the Belfast Tattoo 2016

Grand Finale.

MARCHING BAND MUSIC

MUSIC: Highland Cathedral by Ulrich Roever and Michael Korb

And, in a special appearance this evening,

we welcome the Chelsea Pensioners.

And with a final rendition from our magnificent performers,

we wish you a safe journey homewards and say,

haste ye back for the Belfast Tattoo 2017.