Six-day Ulster Covenant Festival to conclude with parade through Ballymena

A six-day programme of historical presentations, political discussions and traditional events will culminate in an Ulster Day Parade through Ballymena later this month.

The annual Ulster Covenant Festival, organised by the Apprentice Boys of Derry Ballymena and District Amalgamated Committee, will run from Monday 21 September until Saturday 26 September.

Events will include discussions examining the present and future of unionism and loyalism, a presentation on the Ballymena Volunteers, a table quiz and an open Lambeg drumming competition.

All events will be held at the Braidwater Hall, 32 Waveney Road, Ballymena, BT43 5BA.

Remembering the Ulster Covenant

The festival commemorates the signing of the Ulster Covenant and the associated women’s Declaration on 28 September 1912.

Almost half a million signatures were recorded as part of the campaign opposing the introduction of Home Rule in Ireland. The original documents are now held by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, where the signatures can be searched online.

The anniversary became known within unionism as Ulster Day and continues to be marked through commemorative and cultural events.

Festival opens with story of survival

The festival will be formally launched at 7pm on Monday 21 September by William Walker, Worthy Governor of the Apprentice Boys.

The launch will be followed at 7.30pm by “The Terrorist Knocks Twice”, a presentation by Sergeant Glen Espie BEM.

Organisers describe it as a true story of “courage, survival and resilience in the face of terror”.

Unionism examined at panel event

“The State of the Union” will be the focus of a hustings-style event and panel discussion at 7.30pm on Tuesday 22 September.

A number of unionist speakers are expected to take part, with David Graham serving as compere.

Booking is essential. Anyone wishing to attend should confirm their place by sending a private message to the Ballymena and District Apprentice Boys of Derry Facebook page.

History of the Ballymena Volunteers

Historian and author Quincey Dougan will give a presentation on “The Ballymena Volunteers” at 7.30pm on Wednesday 23 September.

The presentation will explore an aspect of Ballymena’s unionist and military history. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Loyalism after the Good Friday Agreement

The festival’s second panel event will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday 24 September.

“Loyalism Post-Good Friday Agreement” will feature various speakers examining the position and direction of loyalism more than 28 years after the agreement was reached in 1998.

David Graham will compere the discussion.

Booking is again essential, with places available by sending a private message to the committee’s Facebook page.

Table quiz and Lambeg competition

Two events will be held at the Braidwater Hall on Friday 25 September.

A table quiz begins at 7.30pm, with teams of six and an entry charge of £5 per person. Everyone is welcome to take part.

The annual Ulster Covenant Memorial Open Lambeg Drumming Match will follow at 8.30pm.

The competition is open to all drums and will feature cash prizes.

Parade to travel through Ballymena

The festival will conclude on Saturday 26 September with the committee’s annual Ulster Day Parade.

Participants will meet at the Braidwater Hall at 1.30pm before the parade moves off from Ardeevin Car Park, beside Waveney Road Recycling Centre, at 2pm.

The procession will travel along Waveney Road, Waveney Avenue, Galgorm Street, North Street, Clonavon Road, Kinhilt Street, Waveney Road, Galgorm Road, Pentagon, Lower Mill Street, Wellington Street, Ballymoney Street, William Street, Broughshane Street, Church Street and Bridge Street.

It will then return along Waveney Road to the Braidwater Hall.

Three bands are expected to participate: Ballymena Young Defenders, Sergeant Lindsay Mooney Memorial and Annaghmore Star and Crown.

All Apprentice Boys are welcome to take part. Motorists travelling through Ballymena on Saturday afternoon should be prepared for possible short delays as the parade moves through the town.