The townland of Lisbeg is situated southeast of Ballygawley. Lisbeg House was built by Mr. C. V. Stewart in 1861 and he also built Lisdoart Mill. His father built and owned Martray Manor overlooking Martray Lough.

In November 1943 the local Orange Lodge of Lisbeg met and Mr. James Angus proposed that a committee be formed in order to get a band started. The committee was made up of seven men: Mr. James Angus, Mr. John Brownlee, Mr. John McClean, Mr. Jim Anderson, Mr. Bertie Loane, Mr. Jim Watt and Mr. Jack Rea. On 3rd September 1945 Mr. Cecil Busby proposed that a pipe band be formed and this proposal was seconded by Mr. Jack Rea.

In March 1946 a recruiting drive was put into action in order to enlist new members for Lisbeg Pipe Band. It was decided that once members were recruited it would take approximately 18 months to train the Band. Mr. Dick Rea and his two sons (from the Howard Memorial Pipe Band in Dungannon), were employed to train the new members.

Twelve sets of Robinson bagpipes were bought for £14. each: as well as these there were three new rope side drums purchased, also £14. each, and two new tenor drums. The bass drum was kept on from Lisbeg Flute Band which was now off the road.

On Monday, 12th July, 1948, Lisbeg Pipe Band led Lisbeg L.O.L. 186 to the Baffle of the Boyne celebrations in Caledon for the first time. There were no uniforms available when the band went out first. The members of the band wore their 'Sunday best' on the big day in Caledon .

In July 1954 the Band started to raise funds for the purchase of new uniforms for its members. A sale of work took place in September of that year.

In January 1955 Mr. Desmond McCreery and Mr. Silas Little ordered new uniforms and in 1955 the new uniforms landed. There were two quotes acquired, one from Mr. Jimmy Tailor (Glasgow) and the other from Dunlop's in Royal Avenue, Belfast. The new uniforms were bought from Dunlop's at a cost of £30. each. This was a Highland Rig and the tartan was King George IV tartan.

The mid and late 70s saw a number of members coming and going. At this stage Mr. David Allen, our present Pipe Major, joined the Band. His late father, Mr. Dennis Allen had all of his five children playing with him in the Band during the 80's.

In 1980 the Band once again came across problems associated with uniforms. This time, however, it was the fact that the uniforms were now 25 years old and were in need of replacement. Two Band members, Mr. Sydney Somerville and Mr. David Allen, travelled to Mr. Alistair Hennon, Kilt Suppliers (Lurgan) to select a new tartan and uniform. This was a dress rig tartan and the pattern was the Prince Charles Edward Stuart and cost 3,000. The Band wore the new uniforms for the first time to a Sunday Church Parade in 1981.

Through the 80s and early 90s the Band attended many band parades, sometimes three in one week, with all the other local bands. By the end of the 80s Lisbeg Pipe Band were holding their own parade in their own town, Ballygawley. These times were extremely busy for the Band and members were willing to support other local bands at their fund-raising events.

In 1995 the Band started to run a weekend trip to the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow. This proved to be a very enjoyable trip and has now been running for six or seven years. Seeing some of the best piping and drumming in the world helps motivate the youth in the Band to improve upon their skills.

In 1996 Band members were at an all-time high and the Band went out with 12 pipers, 6 side drummers and a bass player to the last Saturday in Portadown. However, this was to change. Older members of the Band were starting to retire and younger members were leaving due to work and school commitments. In 1997 the Band had diminished to only 4 pipers, 3 drummer and the bass player. With so few players the members found it very demanding to keep up with all of the parades and it was decided that last Saturday parade was to be stopped.

In 1998 two more pipers retired. This created big problems for the Band. It was believed that this was to finish Lisbeg Pipe Band. However, after some gentle coaxing, some of the members, who had left the Band in the 80s due to other commitments, came back. This caused a turn¬around and other 'new blood' joined the Band.
In September 2003 and 2004 the Band attended the record attempt held at the World’s Largest Street Ceili’ in Ballygawley.

One of the highlights of 2004 for the Band was a weekend to the Isle of Skye to participate in a Cultural Event. Traditional music from Sweden, Germany, Norway, Scotland and Ireland was played. This was all thanks to Dungannon District Council and Ballygawley Festival Committee.

In 2004/5 Lisbeg Pipe Band had 31 members and attended more parades than ever, including Last Saturday 2004, their first for seven years.

However, once again the Band encountered problems associated with the uniforms. In 2004 the Band committee was up and running again and it was decided that new uniforms were needed to replace the old ones, now 25 years old. These were sold to Cooneen and Feaugh Pipe Bands in Co. Fermanagh.

A list of fund-raising ideas were drawn up and were put into action over 18 months. In December 2004, Mr. Todd MacDonald, Kiltmaker, West Calder (outside Edinburgh), Scotland, came and measured members for new uniforms at a cost of £16,000.00. The tartan of our new kilt is the MacLean of Duart.

On 17th March 2005, the Band also attended the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Sligo, in connection with the Sandy Row Community and Development Association in Belfast, which a number of bands from Northern Ireland attended. This parade was to be a annual event for Lisbeg for the next four years when funding was to stop .

The youth is the future of any band and at Lisbeg, we now have 50% of our band under 18 years of age. To keep the band up and going for the next 60 years it is of utmost importance to get children in at a young age. Anyone who is musical and wishes to become a member can start practice in September of each year. Our youngest member is Samuel Somerville who started in 2004 at the age of 3 years.

In April 2005 the band had a dedication night in Aughnacloy College. Ballinamallad accordion band , cavanaleck pipe band playing brien boru pipes from Co.Fermanagh , Omagh Protestant Boys melody flute band , Roughan Silver band & Gortaclare pipe band all proformed outstanding music to a packed crowd. A souvenir booklet was produced for the night which was supported by local businesses & contained photos and history of band.

In 2006 the band continued to grow & for the first time the band attended the Sloughan championships held in Drumquin Co. Tyrone.
This was a pipe band competition held for pipe bands not in the Scottish pipe band association & playing at competitions each week . A total of 12 bands competed on the night & lisbeg come home with 3 prizes . 1st for M & D , 2ND in drumming & best overall band . The pipers wouldn t take this, letting the drummers beat them, & the following year was to return & take 1st in piping 1 st M& D & 2ND in drumming. All in all a great result & something that all was proud off. The pipe major David Allen & lead tip Adrian Somerville could now go away happy .

To the end of 2006 the band members asked about going away on a trip again after the enjoymemt in the Isle of Skye . This was left to Adrian Somerville & he come up with a 4 day trip on the bank holiday weekend of May playing at The 21st Victorian Extravaganza in Llandudno North Wales in 2007 .Lisbeg headed off with a coach full of band & supporters to the seaside town. The parade of the town each midday with a crowd lining the 2 mile route in great warm weather was outstanding. The band had 14 pipers ,6 tenor drummers, 7 side drummers , bass & this time the World Champion Drum major Donna Gillispie . A packed year was to be the story for the rest of the year.

The band for the first time was asked to lead one of the Royal Black lodges in Scarva in 2007, and again in 2008.

The band again applied for a grant for New Drums from the National Lottery & this was to be THIRD TIME LUCKY. They received over £ 4980.00 & went out and purchased a new set of Pearl drums from Beat Street Cullybackey. 9 sets of sides ,6 tenors & bass with 6 pipe bags were got at over £ 6,500. A bit different from £14.00 each 60 years ago. At the close of 2007 after the purchase of 2 or 3 new uniforms new set of drums trips paid & general running of the band etc., the band had spent just over £ 29,000 . Grants also come in from Dungannon district council & Great support from THE ULSTER-SCOTS AGENCY.

The YEAR 2008 will in no doubt be any less boring. With the 60th anniversary dinner in the folk park Omagh supported once more by the Ulster- Scots & again Adrian Somerville speaking to people when he should only be listening has volunteered Lisbeg to take part in the INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL IN HANNOVER GERMANY in October. This will be the first time a band from NORTHERN IRELAND .

A great way for the band to celebrate 60 YEARS ON THE ROAD .!!!!!!!

THE COMMITTEE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL MEMBERS PAST & PRESENT, THEIR FAMILIES & FRIENDS , OTHER BANDS IN THE AREA WHICH HAS HELPED US , IN GOOD TIMES & BAD & WE HOPE TO NEED YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE NEXT 60 YEARS & BE ON .

THANK—YOU.