Alan started learning to drum at the age of 8 in 1992 where he joined his local band in Convoy, East Donegal.  Over his pipe band career Alan has played in a few other bands and the highlight was winning the World Championships with Cumber Claudy Pipe Band in 2000.

Manorcunningham Pipe Band approached Alan in September 2007 to take over the drum corps.  The drum corps is regularly placed in the top six at RSPBA level and Alan has led them to major drum corps wins in Grade 4a, 3b, 3a and Grade 2 since joining.

Manorcunningham Pipe Band is based in County Donegal near the border with Northern Ireland.  The band was formed in 1935 and currently competes in Grade 2.  Under the direction of Pipe Major Gordon Carson and lead drummer Alan T Laird they guided the band from Grade 4 to Grade 2 in four short seasons and have maintained the bands position as one of the top Grade 2 bands in the world since promotion to Grade 2 in 2012.  The band are a consistent prize winner at RSPBA level and have won six All Ireland championships and are eager to get back to normality very soon.

Alan’s record as a leading drummer is as follows:

·         Scottish drum corps Champions (one in Grade 3b and one in Grade 2)

·         British drum corps Champions (one in Grade 3a and one in Grade 2)

·         European drum corps Champions (one in Grade 4a and one in Grade 3b)

·         Northern Ireland drum corps Champion of Champions x 3

·         Ulster Champion drum corps x 3

·         Over 40 local drum corps prizes

All the above prizes were awarded while using Pearl drums.