Royal Black Institution announces details of ‘Last Saturday’ parades in six towns across NI

On the march: The Royal Black Institution

The Royal Black Institution has unveiled plans for its annual ‘Last Saturday’ parades, marking the traditional finale of the parading season with six major demonstrations taking place across Northern Ireland on Saturday, 30 August.

Events will be staged in Antrim, Ballyclare, Castlederg, Cookstown, Dundrum and Limavady, with around 17,000 members expected to take part. More than 350 preceptories and 300 bands will be involved.

Sovereign Grand Master Rev William Anderson said the day remains a highlight of the cultural calendar.

“The annual Last Saturday processions are flagship events on the parading calendar. We expect to see thousands of supporters turning out at the various locations, where they will see a glorious expression of culture, pageantry, music and history.

“The institution’s principled stance on the Reformed Christian Faith will be to the forefront at all our demonstrations on the Last Saturday, with religious services held at each location.”

Rev Anderson will address the gathering in Cookstown, the largest of the six demonstrations.

Antrim

Hosted by Antrim Royal Black District Chapter No 3, the Antrim demonstration will see 79 preceptories and 75 bands parade, with around 4,500 participants. Districts from Lisburn, Ballymena, Antrim, Larne, Ballymoney and Ballyclare will take part.

The parade will assemble at Fountain Hill at 12 noon, before proceeding through the town to the demonstration field on the Randalstown Road.

Parade route: Fountain Hill, Fountain Street, Church Street, High Street, Bridge Street, Dublin Road, Randalstown Road.

Guest speaker will be Sir Knight William McCrea, with worship led by Rev David McCarthy, County Grand Chaplain.

Ballyclare

The City of Belfast Grand Black Chapter will parade in Ballyclare, with around 3,500 participants and 24 bands. Districts including Sandy Row, Shankill, Ballymacarratt and Ballynafeigh will be represented.

The parade begins at 12 noon, with an Act of Remembrance at the town’s war memorial before proceeding to Hillhead Road. The return parade is set for 4pm.

Castlederg

The Castlederg event will feature 27 preceptories and a similar number of bands from Omagh, Strabane and Fermanagh.

The procession starts at 12.30pm and will move to the demonstration field at Castlegore Road, where the main platform speaker will be Rev Sean McClafferty, chaplain of Raphoe District No 3. The return parade begins at 3.30pm.

Cookstown

The largest demonstration will take place in Cookstown, organised by East Tyrone Royal Black District Chapter No 5, with up to 8,000 participants and 64 preceptories.

The parade begins at 12 noon on Grange Road, led by Tullylagan Pipe Band, before proceeding to the demonstration field on Moneymore Road. Platform proceedings begin at 2.30pm, with contributions from Councillor Frances Burton, Chair of Mid Ulster District Council. The return parade starts at 3.40pm.

Dundrum

Up to 10,000 participants are expected in Dundrum, where the morning parade starts at 11.30am from the Orange Hall to Ballyloughlin Road. Around 97 bands will take part, with the return parade scheduled for 4pm.

Limavady

In Limavady, the event will feature 35 preceptories and 30 bands, including several from the Republic of Ireland.

The parade will begin at 12 noon from the Orange Field on Roemill Road, with a return parade at 3.30pm. Platform speakers will include Maurice Devenney, Jeffrey Stirling, Rev Joseph Andrews and David Livingstone.

The event also marks the 150th anniversary of the County Londonderry Grand Black Chapter, with flags displayed along the route.